Area code · California
Get a 831 phone number
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The 831 area code covers the central California coast, reading as Monterey, Santa Cruz, Salinas, and the surrounding San Jose metro communities. You pick 831 right in the Ghost app, no waiting on a carrier store or a new SIM. Once it's set, you can start calling and texting in minutes.
See why thousands trust Ghost for their virtual phone number
Why choose a 831 virtual phone number?
Look local to buyers on marketplace apps
If you're selling online in the Monterey, Santa Cruz, or Salinas area, an 831 number tells buyers you're nearby before they even ask. That builds trust faster than an out-of-area code.
Dating in your actual area
Matches in Santa Cruz, Watsonville, or Monterey notice a familiar area code. It signals you're local, not someone messaging from across the state.
Job hunting around San Jose and the coast
Recruiters and hiring managers in San Jose, Cupertino, or Morgan Hill often screen calls by area code. An 831 number keeps your application looking like it came from the region.
Keep the number after you move
If you leave the Monterey Bay area for work or family, you can keep your 831 number active on Ghost instead of switching to a new local code.
Separate work from personal life
Give out an 831 number for gigs, listings, or dating without handing over the number your family and close friends use.
Community recognition
From Gilroy to Los Banos, people in this stretch of California grew up with 831. Locals recognize it on sight.
How to get a 831 phone number
- 1
Pick your area code
Choose any 831 area code, or any other US or Canadian code.
- 2
Choose your number
See available numbers instantly and pick the one you like.
- 3
Start calling and texting
Your number works over WiFi or data for everyday calling and texting. No SIM card, no new phone plan.
- 4
Stay in control
Mute it, set it to Do Not Disturb, or delete and replace it whenever you want.
Ghost can't be used for 911 or emergency calls, so keep your regular line for those.
Get My 831 NumberAbout the 831 area code
Area code
831
State
California
Overlay codes
408, 510, 650, 669, 916
Cities served
12+
The 831 area code serves San Jose, Salinas, Santa Cruz, Gilroy, Cupertino, Watsonville, Los Banos, and Morgan Hill, with Monterey as its anchor city. It stretches from the coastal towns around Monterey Bay inland toward the edges of the South Bay.
831 stands on its own without an overlay code layered on top of it. Nearby parts of Northern California are served by the neighboring 408, 510, 650, 669, and 916 area codes, which cover adjoining San Jose, Bay Area, and Sacramento-area communities.
The entire 831 region runs on the America/Los_Angeles timezone, so calls between Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Jose line up on the same clock. That makes scheduling calls or texts across the region straightforward, no time-zone math needed.
Coverage from public numbering and census data. Sources
Local economy
Why do business in Monterey?
The 831 region blends the tech-driven edge of the San Jose metro with the farmland and coastline running through Salinas, Watsonville, and Monterey.
Technology
San Jose, Cupertino, and Morgan Hill sit at the southern edge of the Bay Area's tech corridor, drawing engineers, startups, and remote workers who want a local number for the area.
Agriculture
Salinas, Watsonville, and Gilroy anchor a major farming region, with agricultural work and logistics driving much of the local economy.
Tourism and coastal services
Monterey and Santa Cruz depend on visitors drawn to the coastline, supporting hospitality, retail, and service jobs throughout the area.
831 numbers by city
Frequently asked questions
How fast can I get a 831 phone number?
You can get one in minutes. Open the Ghost app, choose 831 as your area code, and your new number is ready to call and text right away.
Which cities use the 831 area code?
831 covers San Jose, Salinas, Santa Cruz, Gilroy, Cupertino, Watsonville, Los Banos, and Morgan Hill, with Monterey as the anchor city for the region.
Can I keep my 831 number if I move away from the area?
Yes. Once the number is on Ghost, it stays with you on your phone regardless of where you live, so you don't have to give it up after a move.
How much does Ghost cost?
Ghost Premium is $60 every 2 months and includes 5 phone numbers, unlimited calling and texting in the US and Canada, your choice of area code, and the ability to delete and replace your number. Cancel anytime. No contracts.
Ready for your 831 number?
Pick a 831 (or 408, 510, 650, 669, 916) number and start calling and texting in minutes.
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