One of the best-selling games of all time is full of intricacies that can still baffle the seasoned player to this day. As before Grand Theft Auto game, Grand Theft Auto 5 Includes locations based on real-world locations. The extent to which real-world locations were used Grand Theft Auto 5However, there is more to it than most people imagine.
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From a famous observatory to a familiar landmark and a popular mountain climb, these are the most notable Grand Theft Auto 5 Places that are based on real lifeWhich is great to explore for those who want to see a satirical take on all the popular landmarks.
November 19th, 2025, Updated by Jack Percy: With Grand Theft Auto 6 on the horizon, many players are returning to GTA 5 for one last playthrough before they say goodbye. There's already plenty to do in the game to fill the time, but for those looking to lay back, it's worth exploring the many locations in Grand Theft Auto 5 that were based on real landmarks. This list has been updated to include more details on existing entries that you may want to know about each location.
ULSA
Based at UCLA
- Location: Between Richman Street and Picture Perfect Drive
University of San Andreas, Los Santos, usually short ULSA, Located between Richman Street and Picture Perfect Drive. It is based on the popular university, UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles).
As part of the organization's work while searching for an executive, ULSA is one of the potential hiding areas where a VIP or CEO should live for 10 minutes. An EMP can also spread to multiple locations on campus during the setup for the Diamond Casino heist.
Portola Drive
Based on Rodeo Drive
- Location: between West Eclipse Boulevard and Dorset Drive
Rodeo Drive is one of the most expensive shopping areas in the world. The rich and famous flock to this two-mile-long stretch of Beverly Hills to indulge in the finer things in life.
In Los Santos, it is called Portola DriveAnd gamers can shop at Posenbys or visit Michael da Santa as his house is located on this street. The luxury shopping area is the main location in three missions: “Casing the Jewel Store”, “The Jewel Store”, and “Job Meltdown”.
LS International Airport
Based at Los Angeles International Airport
- Location: Southeast of Venice Beach
Los Angeles International Airport is located on the west side of the city near Venice Beach. However, the airport is surrounded by roads around it and, unlike what is depicted on it, does not line up with the sea. Grand Theft Auto 5.
Rockstar Games places 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 actual Los Angeles airport, but the interior of the airport in the game is almost identical to that of Los Angeles. The first structure at real-life LAX was built in 1929, and was named Hangar No. 1; However, the Los Angeles Municipal Airport, to which it was named, began development a year earlier, in 1928. Furthermore, in 2011, the $13.9 million Airport Response Coordination Center opened, which shows how big its budget is and how different it can be from what is represented in the game.
Los Santos Port Area
Based on Terminal Island
- Location: Southwest of Long Beach
Port of Los Santos is a perfect recreation of the terminal island of Los Angeles. As an artificial island located southwest of Long Beach, Terminal Island serves as the industrial district of Los Angeles, which is just as well. Grand Theft Auto 5Los Santos.
The placement and overall map of the port is also very accurate compared to Terminal Island. If the player goes northeast from the port, they will reach Long Beach, whose iconic beach has not been recreated in the game, but the neighborhood is still there!
Tongwa Valley
Based in Topanga Canyon
- Location: South of Route 68
A place filled with scenic views that players can get lost in, players are recommended to stop and smell the roses as they approach the Tongva Valley. This area is amazing to look at and one of the best places to stop and take a breather, until the players are hunted for their heads by the police or any other enemies.
Tongva Valley is heavily based on Topanga Canyon, and the similarities are quite obvious to players who have visited this location. Rockstars do justice to the natural beauty of the area while adding their personal flair to things. So, fans GTA 5 Marveling at the graphical fidelity on display here can have a great time exploring this area and many others.
Mount Hahn and Wynwood sign
Based on the Hollywood Sign and Mount Lee in the Santa Monica Mountains, California
The Vinewood sign is an obvious reference to the iconic Hollywood sign, originally the “Hollywoodland” sign erected in 1923 to advertise a housing development. The Vinewood sign is located on Mount Hahn, a scenic spot in the Vinewood Hills where players should try flying in a helicopter or small plane for the best view. Mount Hahn is based on Mount Lee, a peak that is part of the Santa Monica Mountains in California.
Tongwa Hills
Based in the Temecula, California area
- Location: Los Santos County
The world of Los Santos has a wealth of mountain environments that still look impressive after all these years GTA 5The original release of – as long as players do not spend these places in hypercars. This location, along with many others, shows why Rockstar Games is praised for its attention to detail, the sheer complexity in the geometry of the area makes it fun to explore.
The landscape of the Tongva Hills is inspired by the wine country regions of Temecula. With a decent array of wildlife and flora in the area, it is well worth a visit.
Alamo Sea
Based in the Salton Sea in Southern California
The Alamo Sea One of the most beautiful locations in the game. Players can get lost in the scenery offered at this location as they explore the coastline, for a great time they either wander around this location or use a vehicle to drink in the scenery.
The Alamo Sea is inspired by the real-life Salton Sea, found in Southern California, and is a great day trip for those who live in the state and want to enjoy the great scenery it has to offer. For those who lack the means to physically travel, within virtual entertainment Grand Theft Auto 5 A great option.
Paleto forest
Based in the San Bernardino National Forest
This coniferous forest is a visually stunning area that is one of the best woodland locations that players will explore while playing. Grand Theft Auto 5. The countryside makes for a fresh change of pace from the urban landscape in this vast open world.
has the greatest impact on Paleto forest The area is San Bernardino National Forest, but that's not all. Near this location is a tram that is based on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which travels around the world Grand Theft Auto 5 Feel more authentic. The location is great for grabbing an ATV or dirt bike and slaloming through the trees while doing giant jumps and flips. With enough speed, avoiding trees to prevent death can become a challenge in itself.
Bishop's WTF?!
Based on Replay's Believe It or Not!
- Location: Vinewood Boulevard
Bishop's WTF?! Can be found on Vinewood Boulevard and serves as a museum for the weird and wonderful. It seems to be named after Aliens characters of the same name; A good nod to its real-world equivalent, who shares a name with the film's main protagonist, Ripley.
Ripley's Believe It or Not! It first began as a newspaper panel in 1918, but has since been adapted into various formats, including radio and television programs, books, and, of course, museums. One such museum sits proudly on Hollywood Boulevard, and this is where the Bishop's Museum GTA 5 is based on
