The area code 279 is located in Arden-Arcade, California.
Area code 279 serves Arden-Arcade, California, as part of an overlay with the long-standing 916 area code covering the greater Sacramento metro. Located just east of Downtown Sacramento in Sacramento County, Arden-Arcade is a large residential and commercial hub that benefits from the added phone number capacity. The 279 overlay helps meet growing demand for mobile and business phone numbers across the region while keeping existing 916 numbers in service. In short, 279 and 916 share the same geographic footprint, so a 279 number is a Sacramento-area number.
Major communities covered by the 279/916 overlay include:
The 279 area code was activated in 2018 as an overlay to 916, following approval by the California Public Utilities Commission. With the overlay, 10-digit dialing became standard for local calls within the Sacramento region. No existing 916 numbers were changed; 279 simply added more number options for new lines and services. This approach keeps the region’s phone network stable while supporting growth.
Fun context: 916 is one of California’s original area codes from 1947, and 279 extends that legacy for today’s Sacramento communities, including Arden-Arcade. The overlay spans Sacramento County and nearby portions of Placer and Yolo counties, connecting neighborhoods, schools, and businesses across the capital region. If you see a 279 phone number, it points to Northern California’s Sacramento area, covering the same places historically reached by 916. “Added to ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers” — California Public Utilities Commission.