6 Iconic GTA Locations (Ranked)
GTA 6 will be revisiting Vice City, which was the central location of the franchise’s fourth major release. The GTA games have introduced several locations over the years, some inspired by real landmarks and others distinct. Whether it’s Grove Street from San Andreas or GTA’s parody of the Statue of Liberty, there is no shortage of memorable locations. Here are six locations in GTA and what makes them iconic.
6. The Statue of Happiness (GTA IV)
The Statue of Happiness is located on Happiness Island in Liberty City and is Rockstar’s parody of the famous NYC statue. In a comedic twist of things, GTA’s statue holds a cup of coffee instead of a torch. The landmark is also recurring, as it doesn’t just appear in GTA IV, but is also present in The Lost and Damned, The Ballad of Gay Tony, and Chinatown Wars.
The statue stands out and is ironic because it’s located in Liberty City, but quite different from the real-world statue. It’s symbolic as it showcases GTA’s satirical take on freedom and liberty, but it isn’t something as important as a home base or another iconic location. However, it’s still a visually distinctive landmark, as there is a secret within the statue, and players can find a beating heart.
5. Vinewood Sign (GTA V)
Rockstar Games is known to create parodies of real-life IPs, and the Vinewood Sign is GTA’s take on the real Hollywood sign. It’s located on Mount Haan in Vinewood Hills, and is easily visible from Los Santos. This makes it one of the most visually recognizable landmarks in GTA V. Interestingly, the sign also appeared in San Andreas, but in a different part of Los Santos compared to GTA V.
The sign isn’t iconic because it adds to gameplay in a meaningful way; instead, it highlights how Rockstar takes real-world things and places them in GTA games. It also goes well with Los Santos, a city that is known for its success and fame. The fact that the sign is present in both GTA V and San Andreas cements its status as a recurring landmark.
4. Mount Chiliad (GTA V)
As the name suggests, Mount Chiliad is a mountain located in GTA V, which can be climbed and explored. Mount Chiliad has slopes and cable cars, and players can also use other vehicles to reach the summit. This location isn’t connected to the main story, but it can be explored to discover murals and even hints of UFOs.
Mount Chiliad is one of the most iconic GTA locations, as it highlights how exploration works in GTA. You can use various means to reach the summit, explore to find secrets, and the easter eggs generated community speculation about what they mean. This has long since been something GTA fans do, as they feel Rockstar Games have hidden easter eggs or connections to pop culture in games.
3. Ocean View Hotel (GTA: Vice City)
The famous beachfront hotel that Tommy Vercetti operates out of at the start of the game, as he tries to find his footing in Vice City. Tommy’s room isn’t anything unique, as he has a place to save, change clothes, and grab weapons. However, the building’s aesthetics, the colorful cars parked outside, and the beautiful view of the ocean make it a remarkable location.
Vice City can be considered an entry point into the GTA franchise for several modern gamers, which explains why the Ocean View Hotel holds a special place in many fans’ hearts. The aesthetics aren’t the only thing that makes the hotel iconic, but Tommy has a special connection to the place, and things change once he gets bigger. Players can even compare the tiny hotel room to the Vercetti Estate, which Tommy eventually gets after killing Diaz.
2. Malibu Club (GTA: Vice City)
It’s common to hear fans joke that the Malibu Club was their first experience with a club. This nightclub is purchasable in Vice City, and Tommy could acquire it as he builds a property portfolio in the game. Several missions also open once you buy the property, with the final one allowing Tommy to build a team and conduct a heist. This turns the club into a bigger part of the gameplay with Tommy completing a series of missions.
The Malibu Club is considered an iconic GTA location for multiple reasons, with a major element being the nightlife aesthetics that it had. Vice City has a 1980s setting, and the club does complete justice to it. The club is also one of the many legit businesses Tommy acquires as he starts to expand his criminal empire. Add to that several fans went there to blow off steam or just kill all the attendees, and the location became one of the most memorable in the entire franchise.
1. Grove Street (GTA: San Andreas)
This may be one of the most iconic locations in the entire GTA franchise, as Grove Street was the home base of CJ in San Andreas. CJ returned to Los Santos after his mother died, and the game’s story began after he was accosted by a pair of cops. Grove Street was the initial location where CJ got missions, and the area changed as you progressed in the game.
This location isn’t just iconic because of how it looks visually; instead, Grove Street represents something important in the GTA universe. The street is initially something CJ left behind, starting a new life. He returns due to a personal tragedy, but gets dragged back into the life that he had left. The Grove Street Families are crucial to the narrative, as CJ is betrayed by those he considers family and gains new friends.
