The area code 831 is located in Salinas, California.
Area code 831 covers Salinas and much of California’s Central Coast, including Monterey Bay and the Salinas Valley. Centered in Salinas, California—the Monterey County seat—it serves a major agricultural hub often called the Salad Bowl of the World. This area code was created in 1998 as a split from 408 to better serve growing communities in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties. It uses Pacific Time (PT) and supports local residents, businesses, farms, and tourism across the region.
Major cities and communities in the 831 area code include:
Iconic landmarks in the 831 phone area include the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and the rugged Big Sur coast. The region also connects to Pinnacles National Park via nearby 831 communities in Monterey and San Benito counties. For international calls to 831 phone numbers, use the +1 country code, then the seven-digit local number. Salinas adds cultural depth with the National Steinbeck Center and the legacy of Nobel Prize–winning author John Steinbeck.
“Salinas Valley is the ‘Salad Bowl of the World.’” — City of Salinas