< Slide Me > Downtown Los Santos v Downton Los Angeles

Here’s what GTA V looks like in real life.

Grand Theft Auto is set in the fictional city of Los Santos, which is based on Los Angeles.

L.A.-based GTA fan Dave Michalczul of GTAist spent a few days around his city comparing real life Los Angeles locations with those featured in GTA V.

As you can see from his brilliant photo series, each area from Downton Los Santos to West Vinewood almost match up exactly.


The attention to detail is breathtaking, with even particular real life bars and landmarks making it into the game in one form or another.

< Slide Me > Santa Monica v Del Perro at sunset

Dave says on his site gtaist.com: ‘What do you do when you live in Los Angeles (a city based on the latest Grand Theft Auto game), have a camera, and a few mornings/evenings of free time?



‘If you answered “try to recreate GTA V”, you’re spot on.’

< Slide Me > Del Perro, Los Santos v Santa Monica, Los Angeles - Santa Monica Ferris Wheel

< Slide Me > Rockford Hills, Los Santos v Beverly Hills, Los Angeles - The Richman/Beverly Hills Hotel

< Slide Me > Vinewood, Los Santos v Hollywood, Los Angeles - Famous Chinese Theatre

< Slide Me > Vinewood, Los Santos v Hollywood, Los Angeles - Ripley's Believe It Or Not/Bishop's WTF?!

< Slide Me > Vinewood, Los Santos v Hollywood, Los Angeles - Capitol Records building

< Slide Me > Del Perro Pier v Santa Monica Pier

Check out the full collection (which you can slide!) at Dave’s GTA 6-dedicated site here.