Significant events for area code 916
| Date |
Details |
| 1947 | One of three original area codes for California. 213 covered the southern area of the state, Central California was covered by 415 and northern California was covered by 916. |
| 1950 | The boundaries for California area codes were moved. 415 was extended northward to the Oregon border and 916 was moved to the northeastern area of the state. Bakersfield was moved to 213 and Sacramento was moved to 916 |
| 1957 | Area code 916 was split, with 209 covering the southern area, south to the border of 213 |
| November 1, 1997 | Area code 916 was split, with 530 covering the northern area. |
| March 10, 2018 | Area code 279 was overlaid on 916. |