279 Area Code: Sacramento CA Location, Time Zone & Scam Check (2026)
The 279 area code is an overlay for 916, covering the greater Sacramento metropolitan area — California's capital. Learn about the Gold Rush gateway, the city raised 15 feet after a flood, the Pony Express terminus, and how to call Sacramento internationally.
The 279 area code is an overlay for 916, covering the greater Sacramento metropolitan area — California's capital and one of the most diverse cities in the United States. Activated on March 10, 2018, it serves approximately 2.4 million people across Sacramento, Elk Grove, Roseville, Folsom, Davis, and surrounding communities in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, and El Dorado counties.
Quick Facts
- Location: Sacramento, Elk Grove, Roseville, Folsom, Davis, Woodland
- Time Zone: Pacific Time (PT) — UTC-8 / UTC-7 DST
- Activated: March 10, 2018 (overlay of 916)
- Parent code: 916 — one of the original 86 area codes (1947)
- Population: ~2.4 million people
- Nickname: America's Farm-to-Fork Capital
Is 279 a Scam Area Code?
No — 279 is a legitimate area code serving 2.4 million people in the Sacramento metro. As with any area code, verify unknown callers. Use our Spam Number Checker to check suspicious numbers.
How to Call 279 Internationally
Dial exit code + 1 + 279 + 7-digit number. On mobile: +1-279-XXX-XXXX. Use Best Time to Call for Pacific Time info. Look up any code with our Area Code Lookup. Check our rates.
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