California · Pacific Time
209 Area Code
Area code 209 is in California, serving northern San Joaquin Valley and Sierra foothills including Stockton, Modesto and Merced. It is in the Pacific Time zone. It shares its territory with overlay code 350, so 10-digit dialing is required.
Last updated October 1, 2026 · Source: NANPA
Where is the 209 area code?
209 is a California area code covering northern San Joaquin Valley and Sierra foothills including Stockton, Modesto and Merced. In the wider directory it sits in the West region.
Cities in the 209 area code
- Stockton
- Modesto
- Merced
- Tracy
- Manteca
- Turlock
- Lodi
- Ceres
- Los Banos
- Oakdale
- Atwater
- Riverbank
- Sonora
Counties served by 209
San Joaquin County, Stanislaus County, Merced County, Tuolumne County, Calaveras County, Amador County and Mariposa County.
209 overlay codes and dialing
The 209 territory is covered by an overlay of 2 area codes: 209, 350. All of them serve the same geographic area, and the original code is 209. Because more than one code covers the same ground, 10-digit dialing is mandatory — you must dial the area code for every local call. New phone lines may be assigned any of these codes.
History of the 209 area code
209 is one of the original area codes assigned in 1947, when AT&T and Bell Laboratories created the North American Numbering Plan and divided the country into the first 86 numbering plan areas. It has served the Stockton area ever since, with 350 later added as an overlay to supply more numbers.
Is 209 a scam or spam risk?
209 is a legitimate geographic area code, not a premium or toll line, so a call from it costs you nothing extra. That said, scammers frequently spoof real local area codes to look familiar on caller ID. A genuine 209 number on your screen is no guarantee the caller is in Stockton, CA or trustworthy. See spam & scam-risk area codes for how spoofing works and how to respond.
Other California area codes
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See every code in California, compare codes across the West region, or view all Pacific Time codes. You can also browse the 2XX block or the complete numeric list of US area codes.
New to how this all works? Start with how area codes work, then read up on overlays, 10-digit dialing, and spam & scam-risk codes. To check another number, use the area code lookup tool.
Quick answers
209 area code FAQ
Where is the 209 area code?
The 209 area code is in California, covering northern San Joaquin Valley and Sierra foothills including Stockton, Modesto and Merced, in the West region.
What cities are in the 209 area code?
Cities in the 209 area code include Stockton, Modesto, Merced, Tracy, Manteca, Turlock, Lodi, Ceres, Los Banos and Oakdale.
What time zone is 209 in?
209 is in the Pacific Time zone.
What is the overlay for the 209 area code?
209 shares its territory with 350. Both codes (209, 350) serve the same area, so 10-digit dialing is required for every call.
When did the 209 area code start?
209 went into service on January 1, 1958 as one of the original 1947 North American area codes.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for 209?
Yes. Because 209 is an overlay area, you must dial the full 10-digit number (area code + 7 digits) for every call.
Is 209 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 209 is a standard geographic area code, so calling it costs the same as any local or long-distance call on your plan. Toll-free calls use 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 or 833.