The 213 area code was introduced in October 1947, along with 415 and 916. These were the three original codes for the state of California. According to the Numbering Plan Areas, 213 was assigned to the state’s south part, while 415 and 916 were assigned to the state’s Central and northern regions. California now has 38 active codes as a result of the splitting and overlay of 3 existing area codes.
The Los Angeles Area code (213) was splitted five times since 1947. The split of 213 area code is listed as below:
| Area Code | Region | Founded | Split and Overlay |
| 213 | California (central area of Los Angeles) | 1947 | created for the southern third of California 1951: split to create 714 1957: split to create 805 1984: split to create 818 1991: split to create 310 1998: split to create 323 2017: merged with 323 as an overlay 2024: to be overlaid with 738 |
The 213 area code was founded in 1947 and was one of California’s initial three area codes. The 213 area code was split five times between 1951 and 1991, resulting in the 714 area code in 1951, the 805 area code in 1957, the 818 area code in 1984, the 310 area code in 1991, and the 323 area code in 1998. In 2017, the CPUC approved the deletion of the barrier between the 213 and 323 area codes, resulting in the 213/323 overlay area codes.
The 213/323 area codes primarily serve the downtown area of Los Angeles, as well as the surrounding cities and communities of Alhambra, Bell, Bell Gardens, Beverly Hills, Commerce, Cudahy, Glendale, Hawthorne, Huntington Park, Inglewood, Lynwood, Maywood, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pasadena, Rosemead, South Gate, South Pasadena, Vernon, and West Hollywood, as well as unincorporated Los Angeles County.