310 Area Code: History, Cities & LA Business Phone Guide

Introduction

Silicon Beach — the tech corridor stretching across Santa Monica, Venice, and Playa Vista — now houses Google, Snapchat, and Hulu. Every one of those offices carries a 310 area code. That's not a coincidence.

The 310 prefix doesn't just identify a telephone exchange. It identifies a geography: the Westside and South Bay of Los Angeles — carved out in 1991 from the original 213 area code — where entertainment powerhouses, aerospace giants, celebrity-filled coastal neighborhoods, and one of America's fastest-growing tech ecosystems all converge in the same three digits.

If you're building a presence in the LA market, understanding this prefix — its coverage, history, time zone, scam landscape, and how to get a number — is a practical starting point. Here's everything you need to know.

What Is the 310 Area Code?

The 310 area code is a telephone area code assigned to the Westside and South Bay portions of Los Angeles County, California. Created in 1991 from a split of the original 213 area code, it serves some of the most economically significant and culturally recognized communities in the United States.

Quick Facts:

Area code 310 carries a level of brand recognition that broader regional codes do not — it is tightly associated with LA's most affluent and commercially active western corridor. Splits and overlays like these are coordinated through the FCC's numbering administration, which oversees area code assignments nationwide.

Where Does the 310 Code Cover?

The 310 zone spans a wide and geographically diverse portion of Los Angeles County, running from the hills of Beverly Hills and Bel Air down to the beaches of Malibu and the harbor communities of the South Bay.

Westside Los Angeles

Beverly Hills is synonymous with luxury retail, high-end real estate, entertainment industry management, and celebrity residences. Having a 310 number here positions a business within one of the most commercially prestigious zip codes in the country.

Santa Monica serves as the anchor of Silicon Beach and LA's tourism economy. It houses major tech offices, law firms, and entertainment companies alongside its famous pier and beachfront lifestyle. It is one of the most sought-after business locations in Southern California.

Westwood is home to UCLA, one of the top public research universities in the world, as well as major corporate offices, healthcare facilities, and cultural institutions including the Hammer Museum.

Culver City has transformed into a major production hub. Sony Pictures Studios has long anchored its entertainment economy, and a wave of streaming companies and tech studios have followed. Apple, Amazon, and HBO have significant presences there.

Brentwood and Bel Air are affluent residential neighborhoods that house entertainment executives, attorneys, and high-net-worth individuals — a significant consumer demographic for luxury and professional service businesses.

Venice blends creative culture with tech. Google's Los Angeles campus is in Venice, and the neighborhood's walkable, artsy character attracts a dense concentration of media, advertising, and digital-first companies.

South Bay

El Segundo is one of the most important aerospace and defense corridors in the country. Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon all maintain major operations here. The Los Angeles Lakers' practice facility is also in El Segundo.

Torrance carries a diverse economy spanning manufacturing (Honda's US headquarters), healthcare, and retail. Its large residential base makes it a strong consumer market.

Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, and Hermosa Beach make up the Beach Cities — a stretch of coastal communities known for high quality of life, tourism, upscale dining, and an increasingly hybrid residential-professional population.

Inglewood is undergoing rapid revitalization. The SoFi Stadium complex — home to the NFL's Los Angeles Rams and Chargers — has transformed it into a major sports and entertainment destination.

Hawthorne sits adjacent to El Segundo and is home to SpaceX's headquarters and primary California operations.

Other Notable Coverage

Malibu extends the 310 footprint 27 miles along the Pacific Coast Highway, encompassing some of the most exclusive real estate in the world alongside state parks, surf beaches, and a thriving hospitality economy.

Santa Catalina Island, located 25 miles offshore in the Pacific Ocean, also falls within this prefix's coverage — one of the geographic quirks that make it one of the more expansive codes in Southern California.

History of the 310 Area Code

The 310 area code was created on November 2, 1991, when the original 213 area code — which had covered essentially all of Southern California since 1947 — could no longer meet demand. The western and southern portions of LA County were carved out as the new 310 territory.

Area code 310 was the first major split from the 213 territory, immediately establishing itself as the identifier for LA's most commercially influential western corridor.

Key milestones:

1991 — Creation: 310 split from 213, taking the Westside, South Bay, and coastal communities.

1997 — The 562 Split: On January 25, 1997, the 310 territory was further divided. The southeast portion of Los Angeles County — Long Beach, Downey, and surrounding communities — was reassigned to the new 562 area code, shrinking the 310 footprint to its current boundaries.

2006 — The 424 Overlay: On July 26, 2006, the 424 area code was added as an overlay to the 310 region. This was the first overlay implemented in California. Unlike a geographic split, the overlay did not move any existing numbers — it simply added a new pool of numbers for the same geography. This made 310 numbers scarcer, which paradoxically increased their perceived value.

Mandatory 10-digit dialing: The 424 overlay introduced mandatory 10-digit dialing for all local calls within the 310/424 region. Simply dialing a 7-digit number no longer works — the full area code must be included.

The overlay sparked notable community pushback. The politically active Westside community objected to losing the simplicity of 7-digit local dialing — a testament to how deeply this prefix had embedded itself in the regional identity.

310 Area Code Time Zone

This region operates entirely within the Pacific Time Zone (PT):

• Pacific Standard Time (PST): UTC−8 — observed from early November to mid-March
• Pacific Daylight Time (PDT): UTC−7 — observed from mid-March to early November

Practical Calling Considerations

From the East Coast: Eastern Time (ET) is 3 hours ahead of Pacific Time. A 9 AM PT call reaches New York at noon ET — ideal for cross-coast business coordination.

From the Midwest (Central Time): CT is 2 hours ahead. An 11 AM CT call reaches the 310 zone at 9 AM PT.

From Mountain Time: MT is 1 hour ahead of PT. Note that Arizona (except Navajo Nation) does not observe Daylight Saving Time, which occasionally creates a 2-hour difference during DST transitions.

International calls to 310: From the UK, dial 00 + 1 + 310 + 7-digit number. From Australia, dial 0011 + 1 + 310 + 7-digit number. On mobile phones globally, use +1-310-XXX-XXXX.

Best window for business calls to 310: 9 AM – 5 PM PT keeps you within standard business hours. Avoid calling before 9 AM PT, as the 3-hour East Coast advantage makes it tempting to start too early.

Is a 310 Call a Scam?

The 310 prefix is completely legitimate — it serves millions of real residents and businesses across the LA Westside and South Bay. However, its high recognition and strong association with affluent, trusted communities makes it a prime target for caller ID spoofing.

Scammers frequently spoof 310 numbers because California residents — and people nationwide — are more likely to answer a call displaying a familiar, prestigious local code.

Common Scam Types to Watch For

Fake IRS or government calls: Callers impersonate IRS agents or government officials and claim the recipient owes back taxes, faces an arrest warrant, or is under investigation. Legitimate government agencies do not initiate contact this way.

Tech support fraud: Callers claim to be from Apple, Microsoft, or Google support, stating that the recipient's device has been compromised and requesting remote access or payment. No legitimate tech company cold-calls customers about device issues.

Prize and lottery scams: Callers claim the recipient has won a prize tied to an LA-based promotion and request a processing fee or personal details to claim it.

Medical and prescription spam: The 310 zone has seen elevated reports of calls impersonating healthcare providers or insurance companies requesting personal health or payment information.

How to Stay Protected

• Never provide personal information, payment details, or remote device access in response to an unsolicited call.
• If the caller demands gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency — hang up immediately. No legitimate business or government agency operates this way.
• Use a free reverse phone lookup to check unfamiliar numbers before returning calls.
• Choose a VoIP provider that supports STIR/SHAKEN caller authentication — this framework verifies caller ID data and reduces spoofing effectiveness.

For businesses with legitimate 310 numbers, proactively communicating your contact policies to customers helps protect your brand during periods of elevated spoofing activity.

The 310 Economy: Industries That Drive the Westside

Understanding what powers the 310 region helps businesses position themselves effectively within it.

Entertainment and Media

Hollywood's reach extends deep into the 310. Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City is one of the most active production lots in the country. Beverly Hills houses the headquarters of major talent agencies, entertainment law firms, and management companies. Apple TV+, Amazon Studios, and HBO have all expanded into Culver City and surrounding areas, making this zone a genuine center of gravity for streaming-era entertainment.

Silicon Beach Technology

Silicon Beach is not a neighborhood — it's an ecosystem spanning Santa Monica, Venice, and Playa Vista. Google, Snapchat, Hulu, and dozens of fast-growing startups and digital agencies operate within it. The area attracts engineering talent, venture capital, and creative professionals, generating a commercial density that rivals traditional tech hubs.

Aerospace and Defense

El Segundo and Hawthorne form one of the country's most concentrated aerospace corridors. Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon have major Los Angeles-area operations in El Segundo. SpaceX is headquartered in Hawthorne, and its growth has anchored a broader commercial space ecosystem in the South Bay. For businesses serving defense contractors, space companies, or aerospace supply chains, a local 310 number is a direct signal of market presence.

International Trade and Finance

The Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach — together forming the largest port complex in the Western Hemisphere — sit at the southern edge of the 310/562 boundary and generate enormous supporting economic activity across the region. Finance, trade logistics, and international business services are prominent industries throughout the South Bay.

Tourism and Hospitality

The 310 zone's coastline — Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach — draws tens of millions of visitors annually. Hotels, restaurants, recreational services, and experience-based businesses throughout the region rely heavily on both domestic and international tourist traffic.

Why a 310 Business Number Strengthens Your Market Position

A 310 number works for your business in ways a national toll-free or out-of-state number cannot.

Instant Local Recognition

Angelenos and clients throughout the LA market recognize 310 as a Westside and South Bay number. When it appears on caller ID, it signals local connection — not a distant call center. That recognition translates into higher answer rates before a single word is spoken.

Credibility in a Competitive Market

Los Angeles is one of the most competitive business environments in the world. In entertainment, tech, finance, and professional services, a 310 number signals that your business belongs to the regional ecosystem — not that it is prospecting from outside it. This distinction matters when you're competing against established local players.

Local SEO Advantage

A consistent 310 number in your Google Business Profile, website footer, and local directory listings reinforces geographic relevance for LA-specific searches. Google's local ranking factors consider NAP (Name, Address, Phone) consistency — a 310 number aligned with Westside-targeting content strengthens your visibility for "near me" and neighborhood-specific queries.

Remote Presence Without a Physical Office

You do not need a Beverly Hills office to carry a Beverly Hills area code. Virtual phone numbers with the 310 prefix route calls to any device — mobile, softphone, or desktop app — allowing remote teams, national businesses, and companies testing the LA market to project a legitimate local presence instantly.

Multi-Campaign Attribution

Assigning dedicated 310 numbers to different marketing channels — local print, outdoor advertising, radio, digital campaigns, landing pages — lets you track exactly which efforts drive inbound calls from the LA market. This data-driven approach lets you optimize spend and double down on what converts.

How to Get a Local 310 Business Number

1. Choose a VoIP or virtual number provider Select a provider that maintains active inventory of 310 numbers. Availability can be limited given the overlay with 424 — confirm the provider has live 310 stock before committing.

2. Browse and select your number Most platforms let you search available numbers and filter by pattern. Some offer vanity number options for memorability (e.g., 310-STUDIOS or 310-LEGAL).

3. Configure call routing Set up how your 310 number handles calls: forward to mobile, ring multiple devices, route to an IVR menu, or connect to a team call queue. Most modern VoIP platforms handle this through a browser dashboard with no technical expertise required.

4. Enable SMS Two-way text messaging on your 310 number opens additional channels for appointment reminders, follow-ups, and customer support alongside voice.

5. Port an existing number if needed Local Number Portability (LNP) regulations let you transfer an existing 310 number to a new provider. Work with your new provider to schedule the port and confirm there is no service gap during the transition.

Key Provider Criteria

When selecting a provider for a local LA number, look for:

• Uptime reliability — Rozper operates at 99.999% uptime, keeping your LA line live when clients and prospects call.
• Call quality — Tier-1 carrier connections and HD Voice codec support are non-negotiable for a market where professionalism is expected.
• Feature depth — IVR, call forwarding, call recording, voicemail-to-email, analytics, and SMS should come standard.
• International reach — If your business extends beyond Los Angeles to global markets, a provider covering 150+ countries consolidates your communication stack on one platform.
• Transparent pricing — No hidden fees or punishing contract terms.

Rozper is one option worth considering here, maintaining 99.999% uptime and coverage in 150+ countries so a single platform can serve both your local LA line and any international operations.

Common Challenges and How to Solve Them

What's Next for the 310 Region

Silicon Beach will keep growing. The tech ecosystem in Santa Monica, Venice, and Playa Vista continues to attract venture investment and talent, positioning the 310 zone as a long-term tech hub that rivals traditional clusters.

The SoFi Stadium effect. Inglewood's transformation into a live events and entertainment destination is still in its early stages. As development around SoFi Stadium matures, the surrounding commercial ecosystem is expected to expand significantly.

UCaaS adoption is accelerating. Entertainment and media companies in the 310 zone are rapidly replacing legacy PBX systems with cloud-based Unified Communications platforms that integrate voice, video, and messaging.

AI-enhanced call management is going mainstream. Real-time sentiment analysis, intelligent routing, and automated post-call summaries are now accessible to small and mid-sized businesses — not just enterprise-scale operations.

Local SEO and local numbers compound together. As voice search and Google's local pack results continue to grow in importance, a consistent 310 number aligned with Westside-specific content delivers increasing SEO dividends over time.

Conclusion

The 310 area code is a slice of one of the world's most economically influential urban regions. From the aerospace corridors of El Segundo and Hawthorne to the tech campuses of Silicon Beach, the production lots of Culver City, and the celebrity estates of Malibu, 310 spans an extraordinary commercial and cultural landscape.

For businesses, a 310 number is one of the most efficient ways to establish credibility in this market. It signals local belonging, improves call answer rates, supports local SEO, and gives distributed or remote teams the same LA-rooted identity as businesses operating from a physical Westside office.

Paired with reliable VoIP technology, a 310 number stops being a cosmetic choice and becomes a functional competitive asset. That number, along with its 424 overlay partner, is still assigned through the FCC's numbering administration framework that keeps LA's growing number pool properly coordinated.