Area code 442 is an overlay of area code 760 and serves southeastern California, including areas like Oceanside, Palm Springs, Victorville, and the Imperial Valley. Introduced in 2009, 442 was added due to growing demand in this rapidly developing part of the state. The region spans desert, military bases, and suburban sprawl, with tourism, agriculture, and defense as major industries. Ten-digit dialing is mandatory. Area code 442 is symbolic of California’s inland expansion and diverse terrain, representing everything from coastal growth to arid desert communities.