How it works
1
Create an account and get your unique player ID. It's a 9 digit number.
2
Use the map to locate one of California's payphones. Some are easy to find. Some are not.
3
Pick up the receiver, dial (888) 683-6697. It's toll-free, so no coins required! Then enter your player ID.
4
First to call from a payphone? 20 points. 2nd gets 10. 3rd gets 5. Everyone after gets 1 point.
FAQ
How do you know which payphone I'm calling from?
Every payphone has a unique phone number. When you call (888) 683-6697, I see the number you're calling from and match it in my database.
What if the payphone is already claimed?
You can still call! You'll earn less points, and still be added to that phone's log.
Can I call from the same payphone twice?
You can, but you'll only earn points once per payphone.
Where did you get this list of payphones?
By filing a public records request with the California Public Utilities Commission. For some reason, payphones are still licensed.
Why payphones?
Because there are still some left in California and that number is shrinking. Consider this a love letter to a disappearing piece of infrastructure.
I called from a payphone, but the system didn't recognize it.
Some payphones have numbers that aren't in the database, or some payphones in our database may not exist anymore! This data is from the state of California, but it may not be totally accurate. Shoot me an email at [email protected] with the payphone's location (address, cross streets, or a photo), your player ID, the actual phone number if you have it, and I'll try to fix it. Give me a few days to respond.