Grand Theft Auto V transports players back to the diverse landscapes of San Andreas, with a fresh, contemporary twist on the iconic city of Los Santos. This bustling metropolis is a cultural crossroads, where the lifestyles of the rich and famous coexist alongside those struggling on the streets. From luxurious mansions perched on hillside cliffs to the expansive suburban neighborhoods below, the city paints a vivid picture of social contrast—true to Rockstar’s storytelling style. It’s this attention to detail that helps make the world feel alive and immersive. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting your journey, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about navigating Los Santos.
GTA 5 Map Overview
The map covers Los Santos, neighboring Blaine County desert towns, and Mount Chiliad. It encompasses urban, wetland, desert, and hilly biomes.
When it comes to location variety, the map in GTA 5 offers an impressive range. A single drive can take you from rundown urban neighborhoods to towering city skyscrapers, and even to serene, sun-soaked coastlines. Across the game world, there are over 60 named areas to explore, each with its own unique character.
The level of variety packed into this open-world sandbox was groundbreaking at the time of release and it still holds up remarkably well today. This rich and diverse environment plays a major role in keeping the game fresh and endlessly replayable.
GTA 5 Map Size and Its Real-World Comparison
Los Santos in GTA 5 covers an expansive area of roughly 49 square miles (127 km²), combining both land and water. This massive scale places it among the largest open-world maps ever created in gaming, rivaling even Rockstar’s own Red Dead Redemption 2.
Though it may be inspired by Los Angeles, which spans around 1,305 km², GTA 5’s map is only about one-tenth the size of its real-world counterpart. Despite the difference in scale, the game does a remarkable job of capturing the essence and atmosphere of LA, packing its style, layout, and recognizable features into a compact yet richly detailed environment.
To put its size into perspective, the GTA 5 map is actually larger than several major cities around the world, including San Francisco (121.4 km²), Paris (105.2 km²), and even central Tokyo (126 km²). So while it doesn’t quite reach the scale of Los Angeles, it still offers a game world larger than many real-life urban centers.
GTA 5 Map: Main Regions and Key Sub-Areas
GTA 5’s world is filled with iconic landmarks and distinctive environments, but the overall map can be broken down into a few main regions, along with several notable sub-areas that give the world its depth and variety.
Main Regions:
- Blaine County
- Los Santos
- Prominent Sub-Areas:
- Vinewood Hills
- Raton Canyon
- Chiliad Mountain State Wilderness
- Los Santos County
GTA 5 Key Locations You Should Explore
The world of GTA 5 is incredibly detailed, with Los Santos and Blaine County offering a wide range of sights that are easy to overlook during the chaos of missions or high-speed chases. Many of these spots are tucked away or hidden in plain sight, waiting to be discovered by players who take the time to explore. Slowing down once in a while and simply soaking in the environment can reveal a lot more than you might expect. From quiet neighborhoods to eccentric landmarks, the map is full of interesting places worth visiting if you’re willing to veer off the beaten path.
1. Safehouse
First off, make sure to visit the safehouses assigned to each of the three protagonists. Franklin starts out at his aunt’s house in Ganton before moving up to a luxurious mansion in Vinewood Hills. Michael, on the other hand, has a permanent home a spacious villa located in South Boulevard Del Perro.
Trevor truly lives up to his ‘trailer trash’ reputation, starting out in a filthy, rundown trailer that’s as grimy as it gets—but it’s still home. As the story unfolds, he takes over a stranger’s apartment and even seizes control of a strip club, so be sure to explore these interiors too.
2. Hidden Spots
While GTA 5’s map is filled with well-known named locations, it also hides several secrets that took the community considerable effort to uncover. Among these are UFO sightings above Mount Chiliad, a mysterious ghost near Mount Gordo, and a sunken submarine wreck deep beneath the waters near Cayo Perico.
Other hidden areas include a cache near the Alamo Sea, the eerie Epsilon Cult near Chiliad Mountain Wilderness, and the Maze Bank Arena, which hosts a key mission but becomes inaccessible afterward.
To explore it freely, start a new playthrough and reach the mission. Instead of entering the stadium normally, drive your vehicle straight through the door—this will fail the mission but allow you to freely explore the arena’s interior.
3. Mingames
There’s plenty to do outside of the main missions in GTA 5. You can go parachuting near Mount Chiliad or enjoy a ride on the Ferris Wheel at Del Perro Pier. If you’re feeling sporty, you might play a round of golf at the Los Santos Golf Club in Richman or enjoy a game of tennis at Michael’s safehouse.
Beyond main missions, enjoy parachuting near Mount Chiliad, riding the Del Perro Pier Ferris Wheel, or golfing at the Los Santos Golf Club in Richman. Other activities include Darts at Sandy Shores Bar, Flight Schools at LSIA, and Triathlons near Vespucci Beach.
4. Hot Zones
Hot zones are heavily guarded locations containing valuable items like weapons or special vehicles, such as fighter jets. Examples include Fort Zancudo, Boilingbroke Penitentiary, and the Los Santos Police Department.
How to Quickly Travel the GTA 5 Map
Navigating the vast expanse of Los Santos can feel overwhelming. To make things easier, here are the most efficient ways to travel across the map:
- To cover Los Santos efficiently:
- Switch characters to instantly change regions
- Call a taxi via your phone
- Use fast vehicles like the Pegassi Zentorno or Bati 801
- Fly in planes or helicopters
Is the GTA Online Map Different from Singleplayer?
While GTA Online and singleplayer share the same core map, the online version includes additional features that expand gameplay. Exclusive interiors, buyable properties, and dynamic events add depth to the world. Most notably, the Cayo Perico island located far from Los Santos is only accessible in GTA Online.
GTA Online offers even more ways to spend your hard-earned cash. You can purchase bunkers across the map to kickstart your own arms manufacturing operation. Nightclubs are also available at select locations, complete with flashy, high-end interiors. The scale of the online map is further highlighted through unique heists, which feature intricately detailed locations for you to rob.
GTA Online Exclusive Locations
These locations are exclusive to GTA Online:
- The Diamond Casino & Resort
- The Agency
- Bunkers
- Auto Shops
- High-end Apartments
- Underground Facilities (Doomsday Heist)
- Nightclubs
- Cayo Perico Island
- Kosatka Submarine
Can You Customize Safehouses or Garages in GTA 5?
No, safehouses and garages in GTA 5 cannot be customized. Franklin and Trevor can switch safehouses, but their interiors and layouts remain unchanged.
That’s our guide on the GTA 5 map. If you’re a Los Santos veteran, share your favorite landmark in the comments!
