Guide
GTA 5 Hidden Locations and Secrets — 25 Places Most Players Never Find
25 hidden locations and secret spots in GTA 5 that most players miss, from underwater UFOs to hidden caves.
GTA 5 map locations
Complete guide to the GTA 5 map including all named locations, hidden spots, collectibles, and secret areas in Los Santos and Blaine County.
The GTA 5 map covers the fictional state of San Andreas, featuring Los Santos (based on Los Angeles), Blaine County (rural desert and mountains), and Mount Chiliad as the highest point. The map is approximately 75-80 square kilometers and contains hundreds of points of interest, 50 spaceship parts, 50 letter scraps, and dozens of hidden easter eggs.
When GTA 5 launched in 2013, its map was a revelation. Rockstar’s recreation of Los Angeles as Los Santos — surrounded by the rural expanse of Blaine County — remains one of the most detailed open worlds in gaming. This guide covers every significant location, hidden area, and collectible across the entire map.
Los Santos is divided into distinct neighborhoods, each with unique character. Vinewood mirrors Hollywood with its famous sign and celebrity mansions. Downtown features the Maze Bank Tower (tallest building). South Los Santos is gang territory inspired by South Central LA. Vespucci Beach recreates Venice Beach’s boardwalk culture. Rockford Hills channels Beverly Hills luxury.
North of Los Santos lies Blaine County — a vast rural area featuring the desert town of Sandy Shores, Grapeseed farmland, Paleto Bay (a quiet coastal town), and the towering Mount Chiliad. The county is home to survivalists, meth labs, and some of the game’s most memorable missions.
GTA 5 is packed with collectibles. 50 Spaceship Parts are scattered across the map for the Beyond the Stars mission. 50 Letter Scraps reveal the story of a murdered writer. Nuclear Waste barrels lie on the ocean floor. Peyote Plants (in the enhanced edition) let you play as animals. Finding them all requires thorough exploration of every corner of San Andreas.
25 hidden locations and secret spots in GTA 5 that most players miss, from underwater UFOs to hidden caves.
25 hidden locations and secret spots in GTA 5 that most players miss, from…
The GTA 5 map is approximately 75-80 square kilometers, making it one of the largest open worlds at the time of its release. It includes a major city (Los Santos), suburban areas, a desert region, forests, mountains, and ocean. For comparison, GTA 4's Liberty City was about 16 square kilometers.
There are three UFOs in GTA 5, unlocked after achieving 100% completion. One appears above Mount Chiliad at 3:00 AM during rain. Another hovers over Fort Zancudo. The third is above Sandy Shores. They're part of the game's elaborate Epsilon/alien easter egg storyline.