408 area code

The 408 area code is a telephone area code in the state of California that serves the southwestern region of the San Francisco Bay Area. This includes the city of San Jose, the largest city in the Bay Area and the third largest city in California, as well as the cities of Santa Clara, Campbell, Morgan Hill, and Gilroy.

First established in 1959, the 408 area code has undergone multiple changes throughout the years. In 1998, the area code was split, with the northern portion becoming the 650 area code. Then in 2012, an overlay area code of 669 was added to serve the same geographical region as the 408 area code. This means that now, 10-digit dialing is required for all calls within the 408 area code.

Are you new to the 408 area code and wondering what cities and towns fall within its boundaries? Curious about the population, geography, and climate of this region? Want to know about the top tourist attractions, education and healthcare options, and political landscape? Keep reading as we explore all there is to know about the 408 area code.

FAQs about the 408 Area Code

1) What cities and counties use the 408 area code?

The 408 area code covers a large portion of Santa Clara County, as well as five cities in southern Santa Cruz County and a small portion of western San Benito County. The cities that fall within the 408 area code are:

• San Jose
• Santa Clara
• Campbell
• Saratoga
• Morgan Hill
• Gilroy
• Santa Cruz
• Watsonville
• Capitola
• Scotts Valley
• Aptos
• Ben Lomond
• Boulder Creek
• Felton
• Aromas

In addition, parts of the following cities also use the 408 area code: Los Gatos, Los Altos, Milpitas, and Saratoga.

Overall, the 408 area code covers a diverse range of urban, suburban, and rural areas, from the bustling city of San Jose to the quaint towns of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

2) What are the major cities that use the 408 area code?

The major cities that use the 408 area code are San Jose, Santa Clara, and Campbell. Each of these cities has a unique character and offers its own attractions and amenities.

San Jose, also known as the “Capital of Silicon Valley,” is the largest city in the Bay Area and is home to numerous technology companies and startups. It also has a vibrant downtown area with a variety of restaurants, bars, and cultural attractions such as the Tech Museum of Innovation and the San Jose Museum of Art.

Santa Clara is located in the heart of Silicon Valley and is home to the headquarters of companies like Intel and Nvidia. It is also home to California’s Great America theme park and Levi’s Stadium, the home of the San Francisco 49ers.

Campbell is a smaller city known for its charming downtown area, which features boutique shops, restaurants, and cafes. It also has numerous parks and recreational areas, making it a popular spot for outdoor activities.

3) What is the population and geography of the 408 area code?

As of 2020, the estimated population of the 408 area code is 5,173,094. The largest city in the area code, San Jose, has a population of over 1 million.

The geography of the 408 area code is diverse, with a mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas. The majority of the population is concentrated in the cities of San Jose, Santa Clara, and Campbell, while the surrounding areas are more rural, with rolling hills and scenic landscapes. The Santa Cruz Mountains, which run through the area, offer a picturesque backdrop and are a popular spot for hiking and outdoor activities.

4) What is the climate like in the 408 area code?

The 408 area code enjoys a mild, Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The average temperature in the summer months ranges from mid-70s to mid-80s, while in the winter, it ranges from mid-50s to low 60s. The area receives most of its rainfall between November and April, with the rest of the year being mostly sunny and dry.

Due to its proximity to the coast, the area code experiences a phenomenon known as the “marine layer,” where cool air from the ocean can create a blanket of fog in the mornings, especially in the summer months. This can make for a dramatic and beautiful sight as the fog rolls in over the hills and valleys.

5) What are some popular tourist attractions in the 408 area code?

The 408 area code has a variety of attractions to offer, from outdoor adventures to cultural experiences. Here are a few popular tourist spots:

• The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose, which offers interactive exhibits and educational programs about technology and innovation.
• California’s Great America theme park in Santa Clara, which has thrill rides, family-friendly attractions, and live entertainment.
• The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, a historic and unusual mansion with a maze-like design and rumored paranormal activity.
• The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz, a nostalgic amusement park with a wooden roller coaster and ocean views.
• The San Jose Flea Market, one of the largest open-air markets in the country, with over 2,000 vendors selling a variety of goods.

Area Codes and Zip Codes: Making the Connection

Area codes and zip codes are both used to designate specific regions and cities within a state or country, but they serve different purposes. Here’s a breakdown of what an area code and a zip code are and how they are used in the 408 area code.

What is an Area Code?

An area code is a three-digit number that is used to designate a geographical region for the purpose of making phone calls. In the United States and Canada, area codes were first introduced in 1947 and were based on the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). The NANP divides the United States and Canada into geographic regions, each of which is assigned a unique three-digit area code.

While initially, area codes were used to designate a specific state or province, as the population grew and the demand for telephone service increased, area codes began to be divided and split to accommodate more numbers. This is why some states, like California, have multiple area codes.

What is a Zip Code?

A zip code, or Zone Improvement Plan code, is a five-digit number used to designate a specific postal delivery zone within a city or town. The zip code system was introduced in 1963 by the United States Post Office to help speed up the delivery of mail.

Zip codes are based on the first three digits representing a sectional center facility (a main post office) and the last two digits representing a specific delivery area. In some cases, a section of a city or town may have multiple zip codes, especially in larger cities like San Jose.

Area Codes and Zip Codes in the 408 Area Code

As mentioned earlier, the 408 area code covers a large portion of Santa Clara County, as well as parts of two neighboring counties. This means that there are numerous zip codes within the 408 area code. Some examples of zip codes in the area code are:

• San Jose: 95110, 95111, 95112, 95113, 95116, 95117, 95118, 95119, 95120, 95121, 95122, 95123, 95124, 95125, 95126, 95127, 95128, 95129, 95130, 95131, 95132, 95133, 95134, 95135, 95136, 95138, 95139, 95140, 95141, 95148
• Santa Clara: 95050, 95051, 95054, 95055, 95056
• Campbell: 95008

Each of these zip codes represents a specific delivery area for mail, making it easier for mail carriers to deliver mail to the correct location. If you’re unsure of your zip code or need to look up a zip code for a specific address, you can use the USPS Zip Code Lookup tool.

Living in the 408 Area Code

The 408 area code is a diverse and dynamic region that offers a high quality of life for its residents. Here’s a closer look at some of the aspects of living in the 408 area code, including education, healthcare, and the political landscape.

Education

The 408 area code is home to a variety of educational institutions, from top-ranked universities to smaller community colleges. Here are some notable schools in the area code:

• San Jose State University, a public university with over 30,000 students.
• Santa Clara University, a private Jesuit university with a focus on undergraduate education.
• De Anza College, a community college in Cupertino that is well-known for its transfer program to four-year universities.
• West Valley College, a community college in Saratoga that offers degrees and certificates in a variety of fields.

In addition, the 408 area code has a strong focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education, with numerous programs and initiatives aimed at encouraging students to pursue careers in these fields.

Healthcare

The 408 area code is home to some of the top hospitals and medical centers in the country, including Stanford Hospital and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital in Palo Alto and Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose. In addition, the area code has a strong network of community clinics and health centers that serve low-income and underinsured patients.

The healthcare industry is also a major employer in the 408 area code, providing thousands of jobs and contributing to the local economy.

Government and Administration

Politically, the 408 area code is divided between Democratic and Republican voters, with more Democrats in the urban areas and more Republicans in the suburban and rural areas. The area is represented in Congress by Zoe Lofgren, a Democrat, and Ro Khanna, also a Democrat.

Santa Clara County, which makes up the majority of the 408 area code, is governed by a 5-member Board of Supervisors. The cities in the 408 area code have their own local governments, including city councils and mayors.

With its strong economy, diverse population, and high