All About the 707 Area Code

Encompassing both the northern San Francisco Bay Area and the North Coast, California's 707 area code serves a diverse region in the northwestern part of the state¹. This area code is located within the San Francisco, Santa Rosa, and Vallejo Metropolitan Statistical Areas². The 707 area code covers a variety of landscapes, from the renowned wine country areas of Napa and Sonoma to the rural, forested areas reaching the Oregon border³. Major cities within this area code include Napa, Sebastopol, Vallejo, Benicia, Fairfield, Santa Rosa, Windsor, Healdsburg, Rohnert Park, Petaluma, Fort Bragg, Rio Vista, Crescent City, Eureka, Clearlake, Vacaville, Dixon, and Ukiah¹.

History of the 707 Area Code

Initially, when the North American Numbering Plan was established in 1947, the northernmost part of California (excluding Sacramento) was assigned area code 916¹. In 1950, California's area codes underwent a realignment, with 916 being shifted to cover the northeastern corner of the state. Subsequently, in 1959, the 707 area code was created as a split from the 415 area code to accommodate the increasing demand for telephone numbers¹. This new area code was designated to cover the northwestern part of California, including the coastal regions north of the San Francisco Bay Area³.

In 1997, when area code 530 was split from 916, the Dixon area was reassigned from 916 to 707¹. Although a three-way split of the 707 area code was proposed in 1999 by Pacific Bell to create two new area codes (627 and 369), this plan was canceled in 2000 due to the success of number pooling strategies¹.

However, the continued growth in the region eventually necessitated an overlay for the 707 area code¹. In 2022, the 369 area code was introduced as an overlay, becoming effective on February 1, 2023⁴. This means both area codes now serve the same geographic area, requiring callers to dial 1 + the area code + the seven-digit telephone number for all calls.

Cities and Neighborhoods in the 707 Area Code

The 707 area code serves a diverse population across eleven counties: Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Tehama, and Trinity⁴. Here are some of the key cities and towns in the 707 area code:

Major Cities:

• Santa Rosa (Sonoma County): The largest city in the 707 area code, known for its thriving arts and culture scene and proximity to renowned wineries³.
• Vallejo (Solano County): A city with a rich maritime history and a vibrant arts scene⁶.
• Fairfield (Solano County): A bustling city with a strong economic presence⁶.
• Napa (Napa County): World-renowned for its winemaking culture and culinary scene⁶.
• Eureka (Humboldt County): A coastal city known for its Victorian architecture and Redwood National and State Parks⁴.

Other Cities and Towns:

• Del Norte County: Crescent City, Smith River
• Glenn County: Willows
• Humboldt County: Arcata, Fortuna, Ferndale
• Lake County: Clearlake, Lakeport
• Marin County: Novato, Point Reyes Station
• Mendocino County: Ukiah, Fort Bragg
• Solano County: Vacaville, Dixon, Benicia, Rio Vista
• Sonoma County: Petaluma, Healdsburg, Windsor, Sebastopol, Sonoma, Cloverdale
• Tehama County: Red Bluff, Corning
• Trinity County: Weaverville, Hayfork

This list represents a selection of the many communities served by the 707 area code, showcasing the diversity and breadth of this region.

Interesting Facts and Trivia about the 707 Area Code

• The 707 area code is located in the Pacific Time Zone⁷.
• To dial a 707 number, you would typically dial 1 + 707 + the seven-digit phone number. The 707 area code is not toll-free, meaning that regular charges apply for calls to these numbers⁶.
• The 707 area code is home to a diverse range of businesses, from the renowned wineries of Napa Valley to technology companies like Verizon and Intel, as well as various establishments in cities like Santa Rosa, Vallejo, and Fairfield⁷.
• Some popular businesses in the 707 area code include: ⁷

• Wine industries: Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards, Ravenswood Winery, Ridge Vineyards, Robert Mondavi Winery
• Technology: Autodesk Inc., SolarCraft, Buck Institute for Research on Aging, BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.
• Tourism: Rugged coastline, scenic vistas, and outdoor recreation are popular, with activities such as hiking, whale watching, and kayaking.
• Healthcare: Queen of the Valley Medical Center, Sonoma Valley Hospital, Petaluma Valley Hospital, NorthBay Healthcare and Kaiser Permanente.

• Santa Rosa, the largest city in the 707 area code, has a population of 178,127. Its GDP is approximately $30 billion (2022)³. Santa Rosa is often referred to as "Wine Country" or the "Redwood Empire." Its ZIP code prefixes are 954•• and 955••. Popular phone number providers in Santa Rosa include Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T³.
• The 707 area code is often associated with a relaxed lifestyle⁸.

How the 707 Area Code Has Changed Over Time

The 707 area code has demonstrated remarkable stability since its creation in 1959⁹. This stability has fostered a sense of regional identity for the communities it serves¹⁰. However, there have been a few notable changes:

• 1997: The Dixon area was renumbered from area code 916 to 707¹.
• 2021: The 707 area code transitioned to ten-digit dialing for all local calls¹. This change was necessary to avoid conflicts with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which adopted 988 as its dialing code¹.
• 2023: The 369 area code was introduced as an overlay to the 707 area code⁴. This means that both area codes now serve the same geographic area, and callers must dial 1 + the area code + the seven-digit telephone number for all calls.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Having a 707 Area Code

Having a 707 area code can offer several advantages for businesses and individuals in California:

• Local Presence: A 707 area code can help businesses establish a local presence in the region, which can be beneficial for attracting customers³. A 2024 study by Serpwatch found that 83% of consumers prefer to support local businesses over corporate chains³. This preference highlights the importance of local area codes in building trust and credibility with potential customers.
• Cost Savings: Customers can call businesses with a 707 area code without incurring long-distance charges¹¹.
• Community Connection: A 707 area code can help businesses and individuals connect with the local community and build trust with others³. For individuals, this can mean feeling more integrated into their community and fostering a sense of belonging.
• Brand Recognition: A 707 area code can give businesses a regional identity and enhance their brand recognition⁸. This can be particularly advantageous for businesses in the lifestyle or drinks sector, given the area's association with natural beauty and wineries⁸.
• Flexibility: Businesses can use a 707 area code with any virtual phone system, regardless of their location¹¹.
• Privacy: Businesses can use a 707 area code to keep their personal and business numbers separate³.

However, there are also a few potential disadvantages to having a 707 area code:

• Competition: The 707 area code serves a thriving region with a diverse economy, which may lead to increased competition for businesses operating within this area code.
• Confusion: With the introduction of the 369 area code overlay, some people may be confused about which area code to use when making calls.