One of the best-selling gamesof all time is filled with intricacies that surpass our expectations. Like previousGrand Theft Autogames,Grand Theft Auto5contains locations that are based on real-world places. The extent to which real-world locations were utilized inGrand Theft Auto 5,however, is more than most people would assume. For what it’s worth, hardcore fans of Rockstar Games expected this, especially since the developers have always paid homage to their inspirations in the dense open worlds they’ve crafted from scratch.
Their appearances are similar to the real thing to a great extent. In some cases, locations inGrand Theft Auto 5are a near-replica. Including an observatory, a familiar sign, and a famous mountain; these are manyGrand Theft Auto 5locations that are based on real life. All of these places are fun to explore in their own way, making them feel especially authentic if players recall these places from memory if they’ve visited their real-life counterparts firsthand.
Updated August 06, 2025, by Gerardo Molina:Modeling an entire city, especially one as busy and complex as Los Angeles, is no easy task, even for a behemoth like Rockstar Games. It’s fascinating to think just how long it took the developers, animators, and everyone involved in making the game to create such a fine and accurate replica of the city. Players who either live in LA or have been there on vacation can attest to the level of detail that’s been put into Grand Theft Auto 5.
While some locations are exact replicas, others take a few liberties due to restricted access to them or because they’re not as elemental to exploration and the story, but all in all, Rockstar did an amazing job.
32LS International Airport
Based On Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport is located on the western side of the city, pretty close to Venice Beach. However, the airport is completely bordered by the streets around it and doesn’t meet the sea at all, unlike what is depicted inGrand Theft Auto 5.
Rockstar Games has placed the LS International Airport next to the Port of Los Santos, which causes some differences between the overall map of the in-game airport and the real Los Angeles Airport, but the interior part of the airport in the game is almost identical to that of Los Angeles. The first structure in the real-life LAX was built in 1929, and it was named Hangar No. 1; however, the Los Angeles Municipal Airport, as it was named, started development a year earlier, in 1928. Moreover, in 2011, a $13.9 million Airport Response Coordination Center was opened, which goes to show how big its budget is and how different it can be from what’s represented in the game.
31Los Santos Port Area
Based On Terminal Island
Port of Los Santos is an accurate recreation of Terminal Island in Los Angeles. As an artificial island located on the southwest of Long Beach, Terminal Island serves as the industrial district of Los Angeles, which is also the same asGrand Theft Auto 5’s Los Santos.
The placement and even the overall map of the port are pretty accurate when compared to Terminal Island. If the player goes northeast from the port, they will reach Long Beach, which does not have its iconic beach recreated in-game, but the neighborhood is still there!
30Tongva Valley
Based On Topanga Canyon
A location full to the brim with scenic vistas that players can get lost in, it’s recommended to stop and smell the roses when players reach Tongva Valley. This area is stunning to behold and one of the best places to stop and take a breather, as long as players aren’t being hounded by cops or any other enemies out for their heads.
Tongva Valley is heavily based on Topanga Canyon, and the similarities are pretty obvious to players who have been to this location. Rockstar does justice to the natural beauty of this region while adding their personal flair to things. This way, fans ofGTA 5can have a great time exploring this area and many others as they marvel at the graphical fidelity on display here.
29Mount Haan
Based On Mount Lee In The Santa Monica Mountains, California
The Vinewood sign is a clear reference to the Hollywood sign that has become iconic in its own right. It’s located on Mount Haan, a pretty location in Vinewood Hills. Players can spend some time taking in the beauty of this place as they approach this area using the vehicle of their choice.
This location is based on Mount Lee, a peak that’s part of the Santa Monica Mountains in California. It’s a beautiful and iconic location in the game, making it a blast to explore for fans who want to check out the best environments this game has to offer.
28Tongva Hills
Based On The Areas Of Temecula, California
The world of Los Santos features a wealth of hilly environments that are genuinely impressive to look at — as long as players aren’t blazing past these locations in the hypercar of their choice. This location, along with many others, shows why Rockstar Games are lauded for their attention to detail. The sheer complexity in this area’s geometry itself makes it fun to explore.
The landscape of this area is inspired by the wine country regions of Temecula. With a decent array of wildlife and flora in this region, it’s easy to see why players who stop to catch their breath will be hypnotized by the beautiful sights in this region.
27Alamo Sea
Based On The Salton Sea In Southern California
TheAlamo Seais one of the most beautiful locations in the game. Players can get lost in the sights this place has to offer as they explore the coastline, making for a great time as they either walk around in this location or use a vehicle to drink in the views.
This sea is inspired by the real-life Salton Sea that most locals are familiar with. This water body is present in Southern California and is a great one-day trip for people who live in this state and want to enjoy a good view for themselves. Of course, not everyone has the means to physically make the trip to this location, but the virtual recreation inGrand Theft Auto 5should be enough to satiate most fans.
26Paleto Forest
Based On The San Bernardino National Forest
This coniferous forest is a visually pleasing area that serves as one of the many locations that players will explore while playingGrand Theft Auto 5. This rural area makes for a fresh change of pace from the urban landscapes in this massive open world.
The biggest influence for thePaleto Forestarea is the San Bernardino National Forest, but that’s not all. There’s a tram near this location that’s based on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, making the world ofGrand Theft Auto 5feel more authentic. This location is one of the best in the game, as nothing beats grabbing an ATV or a dirt bike and speeding through the trees while making huge jumps and flips. With enough speed, simply avoiding the trees to prevent death becomes a challenge in and of itself, which is also very fun.
25Bishop’s WTF?!
Based On Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!
Bishop’s WTF?!can be found on Vinewood Boulevard and serves as a museum for the weird and wonderful. It’s seemingly named after theAlienscharacter of the same name; a nice nod to its real-world equivalent, which shares a name with the movie’s main protagonist, Ripley.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! first launched as a newspaper panel in 1918, but has since gone on to be adapted into a wide variety of formats, including radio and television shows, books, and, of course, museums. One such museum sits proudly on Hollywood Boulevard, and it is this location on which the Bishop’s Museum inGTA 5is based.
24The Vinewood Bowl
Based On The Hollywood Bowl
Located in the luxurious Vinewood Hills, theVinewood Bowlis an outdoor amphitheater and the home of the fictional reality television showFame or Shame. There’s a large parking lot nearby and also a quaint little cafe that helps to service all of the thirsty concert-goers.
Its real-world counterpart, the Hollywood Bowl, shares many similarities with the fictitious location, although perhaps it has a slightly larger stage. The iconic venue, which was first opened in 1922, has a capacity of 17,500 people; thus serving as the perfect outdoor venue for Tinseltown’s rich and powerful.
23The Oriental Theater
Based On Grauman’s Chinese Theater
Grauman’s Chinese Theater, or the TCL Chinese Theater, as it is now known, is one ofthe most iconic locations in Los Angeles. It’s played host to the premieres of some of the biggest movies of all time and is also the home of the hands and footprints of some of Hollywood’s biggest names.
GTA 5’sOriental Theateris almost a perfect match for the famous spot, particularly when it comes to its distinctive roof design and pillars. Interestingly, however, the Vinewood Star Tours suggests that the Oriental was opened in 1928, which is actually one year later than Grauman’s first opened its doors. Players will also remember this location in the game from the premiere of Meltdown, a film for which Michael was an Executive Producer. Unfortunately, his time in the spotlight on the red carpet doesn’t last long, as he must rush back home to save Amanda and Tracy from the goons that have entered their home.
