GTA San Andreas Guide: Story, Characters, Missions and Cheats

This GTA San Andreas guide covers the open-world crime game from Rockstar North, released on 26 October 2004 as the seventh title in the series and the sequel to Vice City. It is set in the fictional state of San Andreas, and a Definitive Edition reached 8th and 9th generation consoles on 11 November 2021.

Key facts

• Developer: Rockstar North, published by Rockstar Games.
• Original release: 26 October 2004, with the Definitive Edition following in November 2021.
• Setting: the state of San Andreas in the early 1990s, with a 6 by 6 kilometre outside map.
• Protagonist: Carl “CJ” Johnson, the most customizable hero in the series, with clothes, tattoos, hairstyle and body mass all adjustable.
• Structure: 101 missions, plus odd jobs, gang takeovers and a lot of vehicles to drive.

Story and setting

Five years after leaving Los Santos, Carl Johnson returns home to find his mother murdered, his family scattered and his childhood friends heading for trouble. Corrupt cops then frame him for homicide, which sends CJ across the entire state to save his family and take back the streets. The journey runs through three cities, Los Santos, San Fierro and Las Venturas, and the countryside between them. Gangs matter far more than in Vice City, since you can take over territory and recruit members as bodyguards.

Main characters

The full cast is in the characters section of the lexicon. The key players are Carl Johnson, the Grove Street Families leader Sweet Johnson and the secondary antagonist Big Smoke. On the other side stands the corrupt cop Frank Tenpenny. Other main characters include Cesar Vialpando, Wu Zi Mu and The Truth.

Missions and walkthroughs

This GTA San Andreas guide points you to every walkthrough, so start with the full game walkthrough or browse the GTA San Andreas missions category. To finish everything, the 100% checklist and trophy guide lists what is left.

• Opening missions: Sweet & Kendl, Ryder, Tagging Up Turf, Drive-Thru and Drive-By.
• Mid-game: Are You Going to San Fierro?, Wear Flowers in Your Hair and Yay Ka-Boom-Boom.
• Endgame: Grove 4 Life, Riot and Los Desperados.

Vehicles, gangs and places

Browse the vehicles, gangs and factions, places and weapons sections of the lexicon. Good starting points are the Infernus supercar, the Grove Street Families, their rivals the Ballas and the neighbourhood of Ganton.

Cheats and tools

Need a shortcut? The GTA San Andreas cheats page collects the cheat codes for the game.

Other GTA editions

Coming from the previous game? Read the GTA Vice City guide. The next game in the series is covered in the GTA 4 guide, and every game is listed in the GTA lexicon.

FAQ

When was GTA San Andreas released?

Rockstar North released the game on 26 October 2004. The Definitive Edition was released on 11 November 2021 for 8th and 9th generation consoles.

How big is the map?

The outside map measures 6 by 6 kilometres, not counting the many interiors. You can also take a boat or plane and travel in any direction.

Can you swim in the game?

Yes, it is the first game in the series where swimming and diving without drowning is possible.

Who is the main character?

You play Carl “CJ” Johnson, who returns to Los Santos in the early 1990s after the death of his mother.