We’re finally in Grand Theft Auto VI’s launch month, and for many of you that means it’ll soon be time to leave GTA 5 – at least for now – to spend time in Leonida’s open world. To say San Andreas and Blaine County are anything less than iconic is an understatement, and while GTA 5 and GTA Online won’t suddenly become unavailable once GTA 6 releases, you might feel the urge to tick off any outstanding activities before saying goodbye. So, with that in mind, we’ve put a list of diversions together – some are pragmatic, others absurd, but all are worthy of your time. Here’s fifteen final things to do in GTA 5 before you play GTA 6.
Steal The P-996 LAZER
The oldest dogfighting jet in the game is a breeze to pilot, and it’s still hella fun to freeroam sorties over Los Santos in GTA Online. Surely everyone has stolen the P-996 LAZER from Fort Zanduco already, but if you haven’t you’re missing out on a right of passage. There’s a handful of ways to sneak into the heavily guarded base, some leaning on save scumming to keep the heat off and others embracing the chaos of law enforcement. Either way, you simply must steal this plane at least once. It might not be the best in the game anymore, but it’ll always feel like a mark unchecked until it’s in your hangar.
Go For Full 100% Completion
Yeah, go for 100% completion, because why not? Well, beyond story missions, random events, hobbies, and collect-a-thons, the Strangers and Freaks side missions are the most humorous and memorable activities in the entire game. Yeah, they can be lucrative too, but they often exaggerate GTA’s long-history of satirical humour and absurdity while still contributing to the tangibility of GTA 5’s world. But, that said, achieving ‘career criminal’ status, shaping the landscape to your whim, is absolutely worth doing before moving on to Leonida.
Become a Tourist
Through countless hours of nefarious activity and chaotic stunt driving, you’d be forgiven for forgetting just how interesting the state of San Andreas and Blaine County actually are. Los Santos is, of course, GTA 5’s stand-in for LA, and if you were a tourist here what would you do? You could ride a bike from Vespucci Beach to Del Pierro pier, perhaps enjoying the pier’s attractions when you’re there. Take a cab to Vinewood, hike up to Galileo Observatory, watch the sunset over downtown. There’s a slice of life the campaign doesn’t focus on; soak it in.
Bike Down Mount Chiliad
This one’s kinda like a tourist thing, but more thrill-seeking. Between flying fighter jets and jumping out of airplanes, there’s a distinct thrill in careening down Mount Chiliad on the saddle of a pushbike. Will I spill before I get to the bottom? Or, can I smoothly cut through the canyons and trees to land in Paleto Bay? There’s no tangible reward for this; it’s just fun, and something probably everyone has attempted at some point. Still, get up there, ride down.
Escape a 5-Star Wanted Level
Look – we know you’ve likely already done everything on this feature. Escaping a 5-star wanted level isn’t exactly the most taxing activity either, what with underground tunnels, Los Santos Customs paintjobs, and thundering aircraft capable of outrunning LAPD choppers with ease. But, GTA 6 is re-introducing six stars, and with Leonida’s slew of waterways and open roads, who knows what topographical or vehicular advantages you’ll find. So, one final time, why not shake the tail of a 5-star chase.
Save Lester’s Assassination Missions
If you’re replaying the campaign, you should save Lester’s assassination missions until you’ve completed the final heist. Why? Because you’ll be loaded, of course. See, Lester chooses targets for you based on how their untimely death will rock the online markets, and how you can invest in the right LCN and BAWSAQ stocks to skyrocket your own wealth. Well, at the end of the game you’ll be as rich as you’ll ever be, so it makes sense to save these assassination missions until then. All told, you can net $2 billion per protagonist, meaning you can buy Los Santos Golf Club with life-changing money still in your account.
Replay Your Favourite Story Missions
GTA 5 has many stand-out missions, and if you’ve only been through the campaign once or twice it’d be remiss not to experience your favourites again. But what are the best missions? Well, the Paleto Bay bank heist, Trevor’s crop duster acrobatics over the Alamo Sea, the Grove Street turf war, or Michael and Trevor’s joint shoot-and-chase of the downed private jet spring to mind, but you, of course, will have your favourites too.
Play as Bigfoot
There’s a few hoops you’ve gotta jump through to get yourself in control of the all-mighty sasquatch: 100% the game, finish the Strangers & Freaks mission “The Last One”, collect 27 plants, chill in Chiliad State Wilderness at a specific time with certain weather to find a golden plant. Do that, and you can scare beachgoers, rob motorcycles, fight the police… well, everything that you’d do as Michael, Franklin, or Trevor, but as Bigfoot instead.
Check Out All The Secrets
GTA 5 is packed-full of whimsical secrets, references, and supernatural phenomenon, and while you might happen across something during regular exploration, there’s plenty worth seeking out if you haven’t seen it already. The Mount Gordo Ghost, the Frozen Alien, a trio of UFOs, and more. Meanwhile, visiting Raton Canyon at 7pm presents a Thelma & Louise-style standoff between police and two women in a convertible. There’s quite a few to find, and with comprehensive walkthroughs online you’ve really no excuse.
Recreate Your Own “Davey” Moment
You know those viral memes: Michael crashes a car, a plane, or even a blimp into Galileo Observatory where FIB agent Dave is waiting, only to trigger a cutscene. Well, have you recreated the moment yourself? There’s something enduringly hilarious about Michael ragdolling down the observatory’s roof, presumably mortally wounded, only to pop up with a “Davey! How you doin’?” Meanwhile, Dave seems oblivious to the carnage around him.
Set Up a Passive Business in GTA Online
While nothing is confirmed to carry over from GTA Online to GTA 6, if you’ve yet to invest serious time into GTA Online then there are a few bits worth doing. The first thing is to set up a passive income by acquiring a business and letting it generate funds in the background. There are many options to do and they will yield considerable lump sums with you barely lifting a finger. This way, you’re always earning money while having the time to focus on other more exciting activities.
Visit the LS Car Meet
For a non-violent change of pace, the Los Santos Car Meet situated in Cypress Flats is hard to beat. There’s plenty of cool distractions here: races, time-trials, drifting practice, car modding, and customisation. There’s even a test drive function where you can take exotic cars for a spin before deciding if you want to buy them. And, best part, there are no weapons allowed; your reputation hinges exclusively on your driving prowess. It’s a mini ecosystem contained within Los Santos’ online bloat, and certainly worth investing time in if you haven’t already.
Get The Kosatka Submarine
You’ll need a hefty bank balance, but once the Kosatka Submarine is unlocked your GTA Online life transforms to that of a Bond villain. The submarine, you see, is a permanent mobile HQ; an aqueous base of operations with room for a chopper, sonar, guided missiles, and four-person submersible. Better yet, owning the Kosatka gives you access to the Cayo Perico Heist; one of Online’s most lucrative, most replayable scores, with solo runs easily topping $1 million.
Play Through Online’s Other Classic Heists
Beyond Cayo Perico, GTA Online has plenty of other heists worthy of your time. The Cluckin’ Bell Farm Raid is a swift introduction to Online’s combat, and can be tackled without prior business or property investment. There are a number of amaizng operations to take on with friends, with its thrills lasting hours and its payout topping millions. For cinematic splendour though, look no further than Dr. Dre’s VIP Contract. Mission variety is on-point here too, taking you through surreptitious yacht party raids, billionaire mansion parties, helicopter chases, gang shootouts, and airfield assaults.
Land a Plane on Maze Bank Tower
Because, why not? There are plenty of content creators who’ve spent arguably an unnecessary amount of time trying to land a string of aircraft on the helipad at the top of Maze Bank Tower. On one hand, it seems like the most pointless, self-imposed challenge, but on the other hand it reflects GTA’s long-standing absurdity. GTA has never been about absolute realism, so stick a plane on Los Santos’ tallest building. GTA 6 looks to be pushing authenticity a bit more; you might not have a chance to stick a plane on a building in the next one.
