Where is Area Code 650?
Area Code 650 services a diverse portion of Northern California, primarily located along the southwestern edge of the San Francisco Bay. This code covers cities and communities renowned for technological innovation, robust commercial centers, and residential neighborhoods. Major regions include:
- Redwood City
- Palo Alto
- Daly City
- San Mateo
- Mountain View
- Menlo Park
Many of these municipalities coordinate their telecommunications and public utility guidelines through the California official resources. Local authority offices often partner with the California Public Utilities Commission (505 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102) to address administrative processes like area code changes and number assignments.
What time zone is 650 area code in the USA?
The 650 area code follows the Pacific Time Zone (PT). This includes observance of Daylight Saving Time (DST) in accordance with federal and statewide regulations. Between mid-March and early November, the region observes Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), advancing clocks by one hour. After the DST period ends in early November, clocks revert to Pacific Standard Time (PST). Local municipal agencies, such as Council Chambers, 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA 94063, adhere to these time changes for community operations and scheduling.
History of the 650 Area Code
Introduced on August 2, 1997, the 650 area code emerged from a split of the historically significant 415 area code. Rapid population growth and the ongoing expansion of telecommunications led to a need for additional phone number resources, prompting oversight bodies to designate a new code. The Federal telephone regulations established by the Federal Communications Commission (45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554) supported this creation to accommodate surging demand.
Originally, the 650 code encompassed most of San Mateo County, portions of San Francisco’s southwestern border, and select areas in Santa Clara County. Urban development and increased usage of wireless devices further accelerated the necessity for consistent area code management. The California Public Utilities Commission continues to regulate any possible future splits or overlays, ensuring effective numbering practices in line with state and federal guidelines.
How Many People Use the 650 Area Code?
Although official population figures vary by source, the 650 area code region collectively includes more than one million residents. In many of its primary cities—such as Palo Alto and San Mateo—both residential and business telephone services maintain 650 numbers. The consistent growth in cellular connections and business lines suggests an increase in assigned telecommunication lines over the last decade.
Below is a simplified estimate of coverage within the region:
- Approximate population within the code’s boundaries: 1.8 million
- Number of assigned residential lines: Over 700,000
- Number of assigned business lines: Over 300,000
Local governments, including City Hall, 333 90th Street, Daly City, CA 94015, monitor population density to anticipate ongoing numbering requirements. These figures contribute to resource allocation decisions by relevant agencies.
Is the 650 Area Code Toll-Free?
The 650 area code remains classified as a geographic area code rather than a toll-free range. Calls placed within or to this code generally incur standard local and long-distance charges, depending on the service plan of the caller. The toll-free codes (e.g., 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, and 833) are managed separately under federal policies overseen by the Federal telephone regulations.
Specific rules for placing business or residential calls may vary by provider. In metropolitan areas like Redwood City, Palo Alto, or Daly City, local calls within the 650 code typically do not require usage of the full 1+10-digit dialing format. However, calls extending out of state or to other area codes might involve additional dialing requirements. Individuals are advised to consult with their phone carrier or use California official resources to verify the most current dialing procedures and regulatory updates.