Mastering Los Santos: The Complete GTA V Guide-Course

Ten years after launch, Grand Theft Auto V keeps topping sales charts, Twitch streams, and “most-modded” lists. Rockstar’s open-world Los Santos is still the place where you can switch from high-speed heists to yoga, then end the night sky-diving out of a stolen jet. This guide-course shows how to squeeze every dollar, drift, secret and laugh out of the game—no matter if you are on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, or the new streaming editions.

Inside you will find an easy, step-by-step roadmap to finish the story, boost skills, farm cash, and dominate GTA Online. We keep the language simple, the tone friendly, and every tip 100 % practical. Ready to turn chaos into mastery? Let’s hit the streets.

Main Guide

1. First 60 Minutes: Settings, Controls & Safe Cash

Before the bullets fly, set yourself up for success.

• Brightness & Radar: Raise brightness one tick and set radar to “Expanded”. You will spot alleys and cops a second earlier—often the difference between escape and wasted.
• Targeting Mode: “Assisted Aim – Partial” lets snap-shots lock but still rewards skillful stick movement. Mouse players can keep “Free Aim” for head-shot bonuses.
• Quick Cash: After the prologue, steal the Burrito van behind Franklin’s house, sell it at Los Santos Customs for $8 000, repeat twice. That’s your first weapon upgrade paid.

2. Story Mode Blueprint: 70 Missions, Three Paths

The main campaign follows Franklin (rookie), Michael (retired thief) and Trevor (chaotic). To avoid expensive retries and lost hours, keep this order:

1. Complete all Franklin missions until “Complications”. This unlocks Michael.
2. Switch to Michael, finish “Fame or Shame” to unlock Trevor.
3. Cycle characters often. Their side jobs boost skills which influence later heists.

Heists are the backbone. Each offers two approaches: Loud or Smart. “Smart” usually needs prep work but delivers more cash and lower wanted levels. Choose Smart for the first three heists; go Loud only when you crave pure mayhem.

3. Skill Grinding Without the Grind

Every protagonist has seven skills. Level them naturally to avoid boring loops:

• Shooting: Join Ammu-Nation “Shooting Range” challenges once per visit; gold medals raise the stat fast.
• Driving: At 11 PM, freeway traffic thins. Switch to Franklin, trigger his special ability, and weave through traffic for two minutes. Instant progress.
• Flying: Trevor’s “Flight School” gives gold in under 15 minutes and permanently stabilizes helicopters for all characters.

4. Smart Money: Stocks, Properties & Random Events

GTA V prints money for players who know when to spend and when to wait.

• Assassination Missions: Do NOT finish Lester’s side hits until the story ends, except the first mandatory one. Invest as he advises, then sell after peak. Potential gain: $1.5 B across characters.
• Early Game Income: Buy the Downtown Cab Co. for $200 000 as soon as available. The weekly $2 000 passive income plus free taxi rides recoups cost in 100 in-game days—fast in real time if you sleep to advance.
• Hidden Packages: Off the coast near Paleto Bay sits a sunken airplane with briefcases worth $25 000 each. Use the free scuba gear from “Monkey Business”, rotate characters as oxygen runs low, and farm infinite cash.

5. Surviving the Five-Star Life

Police AI is ruthless at higher wanted levels. Use the terrain:

• One-Star: Simply break line of sight by turning two corners.
• Two-Star: Enter any customs garage; pay repair fee if needed.
• Three-Star: Train tunnels near Burton are safe zones. Jump onto tracks through the storm drain.
• Four-Star: Airports and military bases spawn jets. Climb, eject over Mount Chiliad, parachute into forest cover.
• Five-Star: If caught outside, swap to Trevor, activate rampage special, then quick-swap back. Wanted meter pauses long enough for other character to escape.

6. Vehicle Mastery: From Bicycles to Buzzards

Upgrading a single all-round car saves hours:

• Steal the Karin Kuruma (Armored) after completing the “Fleeca Job” in Online or pick a standard Kuruma in Story. Fully armor it and add bulletproof tyres. You now have a heist getaway car immune to small-arms fire.
• Helicopter Shortcut: A free Buzzard attack chopper spawns on the roof of NOOSE Headquarters (southland). Use a Cargo Bob to airlift it to your helipad, save, and repair. Fast travel across the map in three minutes.
• Bicycle Magic: Cycling raises stamina fastest. Keep a BMX in Michael’s garage; swap characters when it spawns outside to clone it for everyone.

7. Collectibles & 100 % Completion Map

There are 149 extras: letter scraps, spaceship parts, nuclear waste, peyote plants and more. Chasing them blindly is painful, so break the task into evenings:

1. Use the in-game Snapmatic phone. Every time you collect, photograph the spot—easy visual log.
2. Do collectibles during “director” weather clear cheat (no achievements blocked in Story Mode).
3. Reward Highlight: Finishing spaceship parts unlocks the Space Docker car with jump jets; peyote plants let you play as animals and improve flight skill while soaring as a seagull.

8. GTA Online Essentials (Solo-Friendly)

Many players avoid GTA Online thinking it is a grief-fest. Follow these steps for a smooth ride:

• Join an Invite-Only session. All businesses, contracts, and races work except certain free-aim events.
• First Million: Complete the “Cayo Perico” heist solo on Normal. Scope main dock, escape by bike, payout $1.1 M in under an hour.
• Business Ladder: Buy the Kosatka ➜ Auto Shop ➜ Bunker ➜ MC Cocaine Lockup. Each new asset pays for the next.
• Oppressor Mk II or Armored Kuruma? Start with Kuruma (cheaper, $700 K) for contact missions. Upgrade to Oppressor after you own at least three passive businesses.
• Daily Wheel Spin at Diamond Casino: change outfit before spin to create a save; quit game if prize is weak, reload, spin again.

9. Modding & Next-Gen Tricks (PC Focus)

Mods keep GTA V fresh, but safety first:

• Create a separate clean install for Online. Modded files in your main directory risk permanent bans.
• Use OpenIV + ScriptHookV. Keep backups and update only when both tools move past “experimental” labels after game patches.
• Five Must-Try Mods: NaturalVision Evolved (graphics), LSPDFR (play as police), Simple Trainer (spawn anything for screenshots), Redux (physics overhaul), and Scene Director (machinima creation).
• Next-Gen Consoles: Enable Performance RT mode. You get 60 fps with ray-traced shadows—huge for shooting accuracy.

10. Weekly Routine Checklist

Set this 30-minute loop to keep your empire healthy:

1. Story: Sell stock dividends, collect property rent.
2. Online: Resupply bunker and MC businesses.
3. Spin casino wheel, do time-trial, visit treasure hunt location.
4. Check Rockstar Newswire—double-money events switch every Thursday.

Conclusion & Quick Tips

Grand Theft Auto V is a playground where smart planning multiplies the fun. Gear up before chaos, diversify income streams, and always keep one getaway path in mind. Follow the roadmap above and you will finish the story with billions in cash, maxed skills, and a garage that would make Jay Leno jealous—plus a thriving Online empire.

• Save manually in three slots before each heist outcome choice.
• Use headphones: distant sirens and chopper blades provide early danger warnings.
• Short on ammo? Swap characters; inventories restock slightly after each switch.
• Photograph easter eggs—Rockstar often sends surprise rewards during events.
• Most of all, experiment. Los Santos rewards bold moves with unforgettable moments.

Now grab your phone, call Lester, and let’s make some digital history.