Top Must-Visit Locations in Los Santos and Blaine County

Since its debut in 2013, Grand Theft Auto V has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, becoming one of the best-selling and most critically acclaimed games ever created. While the single-player narrative remains a cornerstone of its success, the ever-evolving landscape of GTA Online has sustained its immense popularity for over a decade. The game's sprawling map, encompassing nearly fifty square miles of Los Santos and Blaine County, is a masterpiece of virtual world-building, filled with diverse areas of beauty, intrigue, and purpose. As we look at the state of this iconic world in 2026, which locations continue to captivate players and define the GTA V experience?

Vespucci Beach

Nestled on the western edge of Los Santos, Vespucci Beach offers a classic Californian coastal escape. Its long, sandy shoreline provides breathtaking vistas of the Pacific Ocean and the distant mountain ranges. But is it just a pretty backdrop? Far from it. The pier is a hub of activity, featuring a fully functional, rideable rollercoaster and Ferris wheel, offering a rare moment of innocent fun in a world of chaos. Along the shore, players can commandeer a variety of boats for maritime adventures or, for those with a more violent disposition, find groups of NPCs gathered around beach bonfires. It's a location that perfectly encapsulates the game's duality: serene beauty juxtaposed with the potential for sudden, senseless mayhem.

Fort Zancudo

What could be more tempting than a heavily guarded military installation? Fort Zancudo represents one of the map's greatest high-risk, high-reward challenges. As a fully operational military base, it is protected by relentless soldiers, attack helicopters, and tanks, making unauthorized entry an immediate ticket to a four-star wanted level. The thrill, however, lies in the infiltration. Skilled players know the secret: a daring vehicle jump over the perimeter fence using a specific incline near the Mount Chiliad tunnel. Success grants access to a treasure trove of military-grade hardware, including fighter jets and Rhino tanks. The ensuing havoc a player can wreak with such equipment is a quintessential GTA power fantasy.

Grove Street

For long-time fans of the franchise, few locations carry as much nostalgic weight as Grove Street. This small, unassuming neighborhood in Davis is a direct callback to Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, serving as the home turf for Carl "CJ" Johnson. Its inclusion in GTA V is a brilliant piece of fan service, connecting the HD universe to its beloved predecessor. Beyond the nostalgia, the area remains a hotbed of gang activity, making it a perfect spot for players seeking spontaneous, close-quarters firefights. It’s a living piece of Rockstar's history, a reminder of where the series has been even as it points toward the future.

Maze Bank Tower

Dominating the Los Santos skyline, the Maze Bank Tower is the ultimate vantage point. As the tallest structure in the game, its summit offers a panoramic view that is simply unrivaled. From this dizzying height, players can see the entire scope of the world—from the glittering ocean to the rugged peaks of Mount Chiliad. But the tower isn't just for sightseeing. It serves as a premier challenge for aerial skills: can you land a helicopter safely on its narrow helipad? It also acts as the ultimate launchpad for base jumping, testing your parachuting precision as you plummet toward the streets below. It's the centerpiece of the city, both literally and figuratively.

The Diamond Casino & Resort

For years, the Diamond Casino stood as an ornate but inaccessible landmark. That all changed with its grand opening in GTA Online, transforming it into one of the map's most luxurious and interactive hubs. Players can now try their luck at high-stakes table games, slot machines, and even virtual horse racing. The addition of purchasable penthouses within the resort allows for unprecedented personalization and role-playing, adding a layer of high-life flair to the criminal underworld. With its opulent decor and constant activity, the Diamond Casino represents the pinnacle of Los Santos's decadent, money-driven culture.

Vinewood Hills & The Vinewood Sign

No parody of Los Angeles would be complete without its own version of the Hollywood sign. The massive Vinewood sign, perched in the hills, is one of the game's most recognizable icons. The surrounding Vinewood Hills district is the playground for the rich and famous, featuring winding roads lined with multimillion-dollar mansions, luxury cars, and celebrity parodies. Exploring these sun-drenched hills offers a stark contrast to the urban grit of downtown. Whether you're hiking through the brush for a photo op with the sign or cruising the avenues in a stolen supercar, the area embodies the glamorous, superficial heart of Los Santos.

Mount Chiliad

The crown jewel of Blaine County, Mount Chiliad is more than just a mountain—it's a destination. Players can ascend to its peak via a scenic cable car ride, a surprisingly tranquil activity, and then hurtle back down its slopes on a mountain bike for an adrenaline-pumping descent. Its remote location makes it an ideal spot for committing major crimes with a lower chance of immediate police intervention. However, its true value lies in the view. On a clear day, the summit provides a breathtaking, 360-degree panorama of the entire map, from the Alamo Sea to the distant skyline of Los Santos. It’s a moment of quiet awe in an otherwise chaotic world.

El Gordo Lighthouse

Tucked away on the remote Cape Catfish on the map's eastern edge, El Gordo Lighthouse is a hidden gem many players overlook. Accessible via a long pier stretching into the sea, its isolation is its defining feature. In bright sunshine, it's a picturesque, peaceful spot. But when the weather turns, with rolling fog and lashing rain, the atmosphere becomes genuinely eerie and foreboding. This dynamic environmental storytelling makes it a uniquely memorable location. It serves as a reminder of the map's vast scale and the quiet, often melancholic beauty that exists far from the city's neon glow.

The Alamo Sea

Misleadingly named a 'sea,' this massive inland lake is the largest body of fresh water on the map. Dominating the central region of Blaine County, it sits near Trevor's airfield and acts as a mirror for the surrounding mountain ranges. Its serene, open waters are perfect for leisurely sailing, learning to pilot boats, or simply going for a swim. The Alamo Sea acts as a central geographical landmark, a huge, placid blue space that provides a visual and gameplay-based counterpoint to the dense urban sprawl of the city. It's the heart of the wilderness experience in GTA V.

Raton Canyon

Topping the list as the most stunning location is Raton Canyon. This natural wonder connects the waters of the Alamo Sea to the ocean through a series of twisting, turning river gorges. Its beauty is multifaceted:

• On Foot or Bike: The canyon trails offer a spectacular and challenging route for hiking or off-road cycling.

• By Boat: The river provides a thrilling white-water route for daring navigators.

• By Air: The narrow canyon walls create a perilous but exhilarating course for stunt pilots.

The interplay of water, rock, and lush vegetation creates a landscape of unparalleled visual diversity and raw natural beauty. It is a masterclass in environmental design, offering both serene exploration and pulse-pounding adventure, solidifying its place as the definitive must-visit location in all of Los Santos and Blaine County.

From sun-kissed beaches to snow-capped peaks, from bustling urban towers to forgotten coastal lighthouses, the world of Grand Theft Auto V remains a benchmark for open-world design. These ten locations are more than just pixels on a map; they are stages for countless player-generated stories, adventures, and chaotic fun. As we move further into the future of gaming, the enduring appeal of exploring this digital California proves that a well-crafted world is timeless.