Summary
Rockstar Gameshas consistently been at the forefront of delivering excellence through its video games. One need only look at the massive success ofGrand Theft Auto 5to understand why this is the case. Initially coming out as a stellar single-player experience that was very much a must-play in every sense, Rockstar ended up going above and beyond the call of duty for this title, integrating a first-person perspective andalso adding an online functionalitythat has taken the world by storm.
A big part ofwhat makesGrand Theft Auto 5such a timeless and magical experienceis the incredible design of its open world, featuring a bunch of unique and interesting locales that will stick with players long after they’re finished with this brilliant experience. The fact that these sights have aged so well is a testament to Rockstar’s technical prowess, creating state-of-the-art titles that age like a fine wine and never get tiring in the slightest. After all, there’s a reason whyGTA 5is still widely talked about to this day, and that’s not just because of its multiplayer component.
Updated on July 24, 2025, by Ritwik Mitra:For a game that prides itself on causing as much urban chaos and destruction as possible, it’s amazing to see the sheer beauty in the world of Grand Theft Auto 5 when players stop and smell the roses from time to time. The best places in GTA 5 show off the skills that the developers have to offer, making it clear why the massive sandbox of this game is memorable instead of feeling like it’s cluttered with empty spaces.
23Ludendorff
A Small Town Covered In Snow
Unlike most of the areas present inGrand Theft Auto 5, Ludendorff is a location that is only seen in a few set pieces in the game. The firstcomes in the game’s prologuewhere players take part in a tutorial heist of sorts. The second instance comes when Trevor, incensed by Michael’s betrayal, goes to his grave and engages in a war of words before they’re ambushed.
In both instances, players can marvel at the beauty of this snowed-in town, but it can be hard to appreciate everything here given how gamers are forced to move at a breakneck pace in both instances where this town is featured. Still, the fact that the alien present in the prologue has become iconic means that some fans have taken the time to explore this small area and uncover what lies beneath the serene beauty of one ofGTA 5’s best areas.
22San Chianski Mountain Range
A Mountain Range That’s Largely Isolated From Civilization
The mountain ranges ofGrand Theft Auto 5house a ton of beauty, to the point where thay permit players to enjoy a moment of peace in a game loaded with action-packed moments. This is embodied in the San Chianski Mountain Range, which looks beautiful if players explore it at their own pace instead of blasting through this regionin a high-speed car.
With barely any humans to distract the player, they can take their sweet time walking across this area and appreciating the painstaking work that the developers put into one of thebest places inGTA 5. It’s a largely underrated location that deserves its plaudits as one of the most serene spots in the game.
21Mount Haan
Based On The Real-Life Mount Lee
For an area that is surrounded by the urban chaos ofGrand Theft Auto 5that fans are familiar with, it’s amazing to see how the iconic spots and lush greenery of Mount Haan make it a highlight of the game. Players need only visit this location once to have this area burned into their memory for good.
The luxury cars and posh localities add a ton of flavor to this region, but the obvious highlight here is the Vinewood sign that everyone will be familiar with. It’s the biggest reason why many people consider Mount Haan to be one of thebest places inGTA 5.
20Baytree Canyon
Overlooks The Grand Senora Desert
Most players won’t be aware of Baytree Canyon’s existence, given that its name isn’t shown on the map. However, that doesn’t take away from the scenic views that gamers can enjoy in this canyon once they manage to locate it.
The view of the Grand Senora Desert is breathtaking from this area. Players can also see Vinewood Hills from here, letting them enjoy a visual treat during their adventures across the many immersive landscapes ofGrand Theft Auto 5.
19Heart Attacks Beach
An Oddly Named Beach With A Brilliant View
One of the most amusingly named locations in the game, Heart Attacks Beach is one of the many spots that players can find in the world ofGrand Theft Auto 5. The beach is right next to Mount Gordo, which is perhaps why it has been given such a name.
Many people are familiar with Mount Gordo as the location where they canspot a ghost during certain hours of the night. Perhaps some people saw this spirit from the beach and were so scared that their hearts gave out. It’s a plausible story for the name, but it is nothing more than speculation.
18Great Chaparral
A Serene Location Where Less Is More
Most people would be surprised to see Great Chaparral here, given that the place is mostly empty barring a few farms and trees here and there. However, in a game that is jam-packed with detailed environments and dynamic landscapes, something is interesting about a location that doesn’t need all that much to wow players with how peaceful and subtle the views are.
Driving through Great Chaparral during the day is a treat for the eyes if players look around instead of trying to find the quickest way to get from point A to point B. It’s a delight for the ages, and fans will have a great time taking their time through this area before moving on to accomplishing the many activities that they can engage with in this amazing title.
17Tongva Valley
A Beautiful Location With Unique, Varied Landscapes
The region of Tongva boasts some of the best views inGrand Theft Auto 5, and there’s a reason why players who are well-versed when it comes to the game’s many regions love this area in particular. Most people talk about Tongva Hills in particular, and that’s understandable — that location is undoubtedly the highlight of this area and has many places where players can just stop and look around, getting captivated by the amazing visuals of the game.
However, Tongva Valley shouldn’t be underestimated in this regard either. This area has its fair share of amazing locations that will wow players to no end. The sheer amount of detail present here goes a long way in making the location as picturesque as possible. Givenhow breakneck the pace of this game can be, players will always be welcome to stand and gaze in awe at just how technically impressive this game looks despite being released so long ago.
16Palomino Highlands
The Coastline Looks Amazing When The Weather Paints It In A Flattering Way
A beautiful coastline area, Palomino Highlands is a great example of just how diverse the environments ofGrand Theft Auto 5are. Featuring the best of both worlds, players who have seen enough of the copious greenery in this area can walk down the coastline to enjoy the views afforded by the Pacific Ocean.
It’s an excellent location to unwind after a long day of butchering innocents andcommitting grand theft auto on a massive scale. It’s a beautiful area, and players will be especially lucky if they capture a great aerial view of this underrated location in the game.
15Grand Senora Desert
An Arid Expanse With A Lot Of Detail
At a glance, a desert doesn’t seem like the most interesting area to explore in a video game. However, Rockstar Games has knocked it out of the park while designing this area as well.
The Grand Senora Desert not only looks incredible, but it is alsofull to the brim with unique secrets. It’s a surprisingly scenic area that serves as a breath of fresh air from the usual locales present in the game.
14Vinewood
Grand Theft Auto 5’s Take On Hollywood
The posh area of Vinewood was bound to make its way onto this list at some point. After all, it’s one of the most iconic locations inGrand Theft Auto 5and possibly the entireGrand Theft Autoseries.
Vinewood is a beautiful urban sprawl that is extremely scenic, too. Roaming around this area andfinding beautiful spots to take snapshots ofis surprisingly easy due to how picturesque the area is. It’s a great place to just drive around in and take a break from the chaos.
