Costa Mesa, California

Where Is Area Code 949?

Area code 949 is in southern California. It serves much of southern Orange County, including Costa Mesa, Irvine, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Mission Viejo, and San Clemente. The area code is part of the North American Numbering Plan and is a geographic area code, not a toll-free code.

Area code 949 covers communities along the Pacific coast and inland parts of Orange County. Cities and communities in the 949 area include Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Lake Forest, Laguna Niguel, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Juan Capistrano, and Tustin. Costa Mesa is one of the best-known cities in the area code.

The region includes well-known coastal and civic landmarks. These include John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, the University of California, Irvine in Irvine, Crystal Cove State Park, and the beaches of Newport Beach and Laguna Beach. The area sits between the Pacific Ocean and the inland hills of Orange County.

History of Area Code 949

Area code 949 was created on April 18, 1998. It split from area code 714 as telephone demand grew in Orange County during the 1990s. The split gave southern Orange County a separate area code from the northern part of the county.

Area code 949 has not been overlaid by another area code. It remains a standalone geographic code for the part of Orange County it serves. The split reflected rapid population growth, business expansion, and rising demand for new phone numbers in cities such as Irvine, Mission Viejo, and Newport Beach.

Key Facts About Area Code 949

• Area code 949 is in California, and Costa Mesa is one of the major cities that uses it.
• Area code 949 serves much of southern Orange County, including Irvine, Newport Beach, Mission Viejo, Laguna Beach, and San Clemente.
• Area code 949 was created on April 18, 1998, in a split from area code 714.
• Area code 949 is in the Pacific Time Zone.
• Area code 949 is a split area code, not an original area code and not a toll-free code.
• The 949 region includes the University of California, Irvine, one of the major public universities in Orange County.
• The 949 region includes John Wayne Airport, which serves Orange County and sits in Santa Ana near Irvine and Costa Mesa.
• Orange County had a 2020 Census population of 3,186,989, and area code 949 serves a large southern portion of that county.

Frequently Asked Questions

What state is area code 949 in?

Area code 949 is in California.

What major cities use area code 949?

Major cities in area code 949 include Costa Mesa, Irvine, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Mission Viejo, San Clemente, Dana Point, Lake Forest, and San Juan Capistrano.

Is area code 949 a toll-free number?

No. Area code 949 is a geographic area code.