Area code 562 serves southeastern Los Angeles County and northwestern Orange County, including cities like Long Beach, Whittier, Norwalk, Lakewood, and Cerritos. Introduced in January 1997 as a split from the 310 area code, 562 was created to address number shortages in one of the nation’s most densely populated urban areas. Long Beach, the largest city in the area code, anchors the region with its major port operations, aerospace history, and vibrant arts scene. This area code also includes California State University, Long Beach, enhancing its academic and cultural profile. Due to its coastal location, 562 is associated with Southern California’s beach lifestyle, while maintaining deep roots in urban industry and suburban communities. It remains a vital telecommunications identifier for much of LA’s southeast basin, and is frequently used in local business names and music culture references.