California · Pacific Time
738 Area Code
Area code 738 is in California, serving downtown and central Los Angeles plus nearby southeast Los Angeles County cities. It is in the Pacific Time zone. It shares its territory with overlay codes 213 and 323, so 10-digit dialing is required.
Last updated October 1, 2026 · Source: NANPA
Where is the 738 area code?
738 is a California area code covering downtown and central Los Angeles plus nearby southeast Los Angeles County cities. In the wider directory it sits in the West region.
Cities in the 738 area code
- Los Angeles
- East Los Angeles
- South Gate
- Huntington Park
- Bell
- Bell Gardens
- Maywood
- Cudahy
- Commerce
- Montebello
- Vernon
Counties served by 738
Los Angeles County.
738 overlay codes and dialing
The 738 territory is covered by an overlay of 3 area codes: 213, 323, 738. All of them serve the same geographic area, and the original code is 213. 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 738 area code
738 went into service on November 1, 2024 as an overlay of 323, relieving number exhaustion in the Los Angeles area. Rather than splitting the region, the overlay lets existing customers keep their numbers while new lines draw from the added code. Learn more in our overlay guide.
Is 738 a scam or spam risk?
738 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 738 number on your screen is no guarantee the caller is in Los Angeles, CA or trustworthy. See spam & scam-risk area codes for how spoofing works and how to respond.
Other California area codes
Explore more
See every code in California, compare codes across the West region, or view all Pacific Time codes. You can also browse the 7XX 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
738 area code FAQ
Where is the 738 area code?
The 738 area code is in California, covering downtown and central Los Angeles plus nearby southeast Los Angeles County cities, in the West region.
What cities are in the 738 area code?
Cities in the 738 area code include Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, South Gate, Huntington Park, Bell, Bell Gardens, Maywood, Cudahy, Commerce and Montebello.
What time zone is 738 in?
738 is in the Pacific Time zone.
What is the overlay for the 738 area code?
738 shares its territory with 213 and 323. All 3 codes (213, 323, 738) serve the same area, so 10-digit dialing is required for every call.
When did the 738 area code start?
738 went into service on November 1, 2024 as an overlay of 323.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for 738?
Yes. Because 738 is an overlay area, you must dial the full 10-digit number (area code + 7 digits) for every call.
Is 738 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 738 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.