Beginner's Guide - Basics and Features
If you thought you had your hands full with previous GTA offerings, whoa nelly! Welcome to Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Rockstar's fifth mainline Grand Theft Auto game and one of its most sprawling open-worlds to date. Veterans of the series will marvel at the fact that San Andreas feels about five times larger than Vice City, with enough core missions to keep you busy for dozens of hours. Newcomers might feel the enormity of the game collapsing in on them, but luckily, this guide's here to help
This section of the guide is dedicated to helping newcomers understand some of the things that aren't made immediately obvious by the game. So, without further ado, here's a Beginner's Guide to Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. This guide includes an update for the GTA: The Trilogy - Definitive Edition release for Xbox, PC, and PS5.
Looking for a specific section? Here are links to every main category of this Beginner's Guide:
When Did Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Come Out?
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was originally released for PlayStation 2 back in 2004. It's the fifth mainline entry in the Grand Theft Auto series, following on from Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, which released in 2002. Since its debut, its become a renowned classic and one of the long-running series' most revered entries. It can now be played on PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch and iOS.
Main Missions
As with most Grand Theft Auto games, the core of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas focuses on a lineup of over 100 story missions. These take place throughout three cities: Los Santos, San Fierro and Las Venturas. You'll make your way to each locale as the story progresses, with the map gradually unlocking.
As for the story itself, it puts you in the shoes of protagonist Carl Johnson (AKA, CJ). After being away from the hood for five years, CJ's returned home to mourn the death of his mother. The problems that caused him to leave Los Santos are still here... and they've gotten much worse. It's up to you to set things right, gain respect and save the hood.
To do that, CJ will have to work with a range of memorable characters as he embarks on an adventure filled with violence, betrayal and tons of oddball humour. From the minute you're unleashed into Los Santos, you'll be able to pick up missions by heading to the initials seen on the mini-map. Each set of initials indicates the character giving the mission, whether that's S for Sweet or BS for Big Smoke.
If you're looking for a breakdown of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas' main missions, you can find a guide for every level in the Walkthrough Section. The walkthrough is divided by location and mission-giver, so it should be easy to track down exactly which level is giving you trouble.
Not all missions are needed to complete the story, and the walkthrough will indicate (when possible) which are needed to forward the narrative. However, all missions available in a specific city, whether essential or optional, can be found listed under the person who gives them.
How Long is Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas?
Completing this campaign will take some time; after all, there are over 100 different missions to complete, and that's just for the story mode alone. So, how long will it take you to complete CJ's adventure? If you're straight shotting the story, you're likely to reach the credits in around 25 - 30 hours. It's worth noting that some of the final missions in San Andreas can be tough, so depending on how much you struggle, your runtime will fluctuate a decent amount.
If you stop to smell the roses and get stuck into the legions of side content sprinkled through San Andreas, that runtime is sure to double. There's a lot to do in Rockstar's sprawling open-world and a lot of opportunities to sink time into side-missions, collectable-hunting and much, much more. If you're gearing up to do everything, you're likely looking at around 70 - 80 hours, making it one of Rockstar's longest games to date.
Vehicles
As the franchise's title suggests, one of the key pillars of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is its vehicles. From cars, bikes and bicycles to helicopters and planes, there's tons to drive and pilot during your time exploring Los Santos, San Fierro and Las Venturas.
The main way to get vehicles in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is to steal them from pedestrians. To jack a car, walk up to the door and press the TRIANGLE / Y / F / button. CJ will yank the driver out and get into the vehicle, allowing you to drive away. Be quick though! It won't take long for the car's previous owner to get back to their feet and attempt to steal their ride back.
You can steal pretty much every vehicle in the game, although there are some vehicles CJ will be able to obtain without resorting to violence. For a full run-down of every vehicle in San Andreas, you can check out IGN's Vehicles Guide or, for more elusive automobiles, the Special Vehicles Guide. You can also head over to the Controls Section for a breakdown of the car, helicopter and plane controls for each platform.
For series newcomers or veterans wanting a refresher, here are some tips for driving San Andreas' array of vehicles:
- Make sure to maintain a balance between speed and control. San Andreas' vehicles tend to spin out easily which can be a nuisance if you're in a tense tailing mission or high-stakes race.
- Use the handbrake with R1 / X / SPACE to make sharp turns easier. Be sure to use it sparingly though. Pulling the handbrake for too long can cause your car to spin out.
- If your car gets damaged enough to start emitting smoke, it's time to think about switching vehicles. If you damage it more, it'll catch fire and you'll only have a few seconds to bail from the vehicle before it explodes.
- While in a car, it's possible to fire a gun either the left or right. Press the L2 / LB / Q button to look left or the R2 / RB / E button to look right, and then hold CIRCLE / B / LMB to fire. If you're on a motorbike, you can fire with fewer restrictions, shooting targets both ahead and to the side of you.
- You can cycle through the radio using the D-Pad / Middle-Mouse-Button.
- Bicycles control differently to cars. You have to mash the X / A / W key to get max speed and can perform bunny hops using SQUARE / X / CTRL.
- Although you'll be taught the basics of flying during the Pilot School mission, it's worth noting early on that helicopters and planes offer a more complex control scheme than other vehicles. You'll have to pitch air bound vehicles backwards and forwards and roll them using the Analogue Stick / Arrow Keys. Turning will also require the use of a rudder, which can be moved left using L1 / LT / Q and right using R1 / RT / E.
Combat
When you're not stealing cars or watching cutscenes, you'll likely be engaging in on-foot combat. As with other Grand Theft Auto games, San Andreas has an array of weapons to unlock and use in your adventures, whether that's pistols, assault rifles, rocket launchers, or even katanas. Want to see all the weapons on offer? Check out IGN's Weapons Section as well as the Weapon Spawn Locations Guide. Meanwhile, if you want a look at the game's on-foot controls, check out IGN's Controls Section.
Alongside weapons, you'll also find items to help you out in battle, including both body armour and standard health pick-ups. Health replenishes your core health bar and body armour adds an additional health bar on top of your original one. You'll want to make sure you keep an eye on your health bar as you'll be sent to the hospital if it completely depletes. There, you'll be charged for your care and stripped of all your weapons, making it a rough penalty early in the game.
Regardless of if you're focusing on melee or ranged, the core philosophy of San Andreas' combat stays the same. Lock on to your target with R1 / RT / RMB and attack using CIRCLE / B / LMB. If you're using a ranged weapon, you can cycle through targets with L2 / LB / Q and R2 / RB / E while you aim.
You can also target manually. Hold down the R1 / RT button and use the Right Analog Stick to move the manual aiming cursor around. With keyboard and mouse controls, manual aiming will be automatic. Using free aim, you can pinpoint body parts or aim at specific parts of a vehicle (like the gas tank).
Press the left analogue stick / C button and CJ will crouch down, allowing you to steady your aim or hide behind cover. When in cover, CJ will automatically aim over whatever's in front of him, allowing you to fire at enemies in front of obstacles while remaining protected. You can also roll while crouched by moving left or right while aiming.
For series newcomers or veterans wanting a refresher, here are some tips to help you take the fight to the various gangs of San Andreas:
- Crouch as much as possible. Not only is it much easier to hit enemies while crouching, but you can also use cover, which will be essential to completing Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas' hardest firefights.
- Go into as many fights as possible with body armour, especially during the latter half of the game. Body armour only costs $200 at Ammu-Nation or can be found at several spawns around the map, and it will add a whole second Health bar. It's definitely worth the effort to track down.
- Use the right weapon for the job. Don't bring a shotgun when you want something with range and don't bring a sniper to a knife fight. A sub-machine gun or uzi is usually pretty good in most situations, so if you're unsure what sort of fight you're getting into, bring one along.
- The manual camera is your friend. If you're moving through small corridors where enemies could blast you before you know what's happening, use the manual camera to peek around first. Through some of the game's more linear set-pieces, this can and will save you a lot of Health.
- On a similar note, the mini-map is also very useful. Enemies can approach from any direction, but the mini-map will usually give you a rough indication of where they're coming from, so it's good to keep an eye on it.
- Don't reload in the open. Always get behind cover while changing clips.
- If a firefight is giving you trouble, bring along some Grove Street Family members. They're pretty useless in a fight, but they're great distractions to help you get the edge on enemies. If you want more details on the follower mechanic, check out IGN's How to Recruit Gang Members Guide.
- If you can, kill people with your car before you get out and use a gun. Cars give CJ a lot of added protection and will kill enemies quickly if you're going fast enough.
Stealth
When he's not running and gunning, CJ also has the option of using stealth. Admittedly, there are very few opportunities to really use the mechanic, but it's worth noting anyway because it could get you out of a tight spot.
When pressing the Left Analogue Stick lightly / Holding the ALT key down, CJ will sneak forwards, allowing you to creep up to enemies undetected. If you're holding a knife, you'll be able to perform a silent stealth attack, with CJ instantly killing his foe. To pull off the kill, lock onto your target and sneak up behind them. CJ's posture will change when he's close enough to use the knife, showing you that he's poised to attack. Press the attack button and he'll kill them.
In sections where you have to hide, you can also use dark corners to become invisible to enemies. Simply walk into a shadowy area and CJ will hold his breath, confirming you're shrouded in darkness. If you need to double-check, his icon will also turn black on the mini-map.
Wanted Level
As with all Grand Theft Auto games, one of the main obstacles you'll have to contend with is the law. Commit criminal offences on or off a mission and the cops are sure to give chase.
Here's a list of crimes that will catch the attention of the police:
- Jacking cars: Sure, it's the game's bread and butter, but if a cop sees you do it, they'll come after you.
- Hit and Run: Knocking pedestrians down in your car is a surefire way to catch unwanted attention.
- Attacking People: If a cop sees you hitting a civilian, whether that's with your firsts or a melee weapon, they aren't going to let you get away scot-free.
- Shooting People: Shoot all you want when the cops aren't around, but when Johnny Law is in sight, lay off the trigger. If you shoot a cop, then you're in for a world of hurt.
- Damaging property: This one is tricky. Cops won't nail you if are knocking down light poles, but they might take notice if you're wrecking cars left and right... especially cop cars.
- Driving through or Flying Over Restricted Areas: The military and police have bases all over San Andreas and they won't be happy if you pop in for a visit. Get ready to feel the full force of the authorities if you're heading inside.
The more crimes you commit, the more police attention you'll get. Your Wanted Level is represented by stars. In total, you can amass six police stars. If you have one star, police won't chase you too fiercely and you'll get away relatively fast. If you have two stars, the police will pursue you more aggressively. Three stars and upwards is when you'll really start to draw their attention. Before long, you'll be contending with helicopters, roadblocks, swat teams, FBI agents and even the army.
If the cops do catch you, they'll bust you... provided they don't run you over or shoot you first. You'll wake up after spending a night in prison. Your wallet will be a lot lighter and you'll be stripped of any weapons you may have accrued, so be extra careful when messing with the cops.
Luckily, there are some methods to evade the police. The most common way to escape is using Pay 'n' Sprays. These garages will respray CJ's car for $100, confusing the police waiting for him outside. Once you've got your new paint job, stay out of trouble until your wanted stars stop flashing. This means the ruse was a success and the cops have stopped chasing you.
Alternatively, you can find any save spot and log your progress. After saving, your wanted level will always revert to zero.
There's also Bribe pick-ups scattered throughout the map that will drop your wanted score when you pick them up. They look like small stars and will always spawn in the same locations, so it's worth memorising their locations so you can get out of a jam fast.
Stats
In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, CJ has a variety of stat meters that build throughout the course of the game. These stats are important to work on, as they offer you powerful new abilities and change CJ's appearance. While playing, you can use L1 / LT / TAB to see your current stat meters.
Most of the skills are improved by repetition or heading to gyms, shooting ranges or other special locations. Here are the attributes you can affect and how you can max them out:
Respect
One of the main stats you'll boost throughout your time in San Andreas, Respect dictates how many followers CJ can take with him at once and how he's treated around the hood. It also affects sex appeal, which makes it easier to get girlfriends.
To boost respect, CJ has to complete missions, kill rival gang members, or take over hostile hoods.
Weapon Skill
This skill measures how proficient you are with weapons. As you use specific weapons, CJ's confidence and skills will grow, allowing him to become more proficient. Every weapon type in the game has a skill stat attached that you'll aim to max out.
You can level up the skill over the course of the game or try to max it out early, with every Ammu-Nation housing a shooting range that you can use to boost your weapon proficiency. It's worth investing in your weapon skills during the opening hours, as it gives CJ the ability to dual-wield certain guns and move faster with bigger weapons.
Stamina
Another core stat, Stamina affects how far CJ can sprint. It can be enhanced in a number of ways, although those wanting to focus on it should head over to Los Santos, San Fierro or Las Venturas' gyms. After arriving at the gym, hop onto a treadmill or exercise bike to enhance your Stamina.
Stamina will also rise through general in-game activity, whether that's running, swimming or cycling. If you want to bump it up quickly but don't want to spend time in the gym, use a bicycle to get around San Andreas. It'll advance the stat quickly while also allowing you to continue with the story or side activities.
Muscle
Alongside stamina, Muscle is a crucial stat in San Andreas, allowing CJ to hit harder and vastly changing his appearance. If you want to get CJ jacked, head over to Los Santos, San Fierro or Las Venturas' gyms and work out using the dumbbells or bench-press. Like Stamina, it's also possible to enhance Muscle through cycling while venturing around San Andreas.
The Muscle stat will have a huge effect on your sex appeal and allow CJ to get girlfriends much easier. With a high enough Muscle stat, you can also learn special melee moves from the trainers hanging around at each gym.
Lung Capacity
The Lung capacity stat doesn't have a huge effect on CJ's abilities, but it's one you'll have to improve to progress the story later in the game. It allows CJ to swim underwater for longer and becomes imperative during Wu Zi Mu's Amphibious Assault mission.
To improve Lung Capacity, you'll have to swim underwater as much as possible. If you want a more detailed breakdown of Lung Capacity and how to max it fast, check out IGN's How to Increase Lung Capacity Guide.
Fat
Fat is one of the most important stats in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and you'll have to learn how to effectively balance it. It'll increase when CJ eats food, changing his physical appearance and abilities. Eat too much, and CJ will move slower. Eat too little and CJ's Muscle will drain.
One of the key skills to learn early is how to maintain a decent level of Fat. Make sure to keep stopping in at food vendors between missions and hopping on a bicycle to burn some Fat when it begins to affect CJ's traversal.
Sex Appeal
This stat is a witches' brew of many factors. How does your body look? If your muscle stat is high, your sex appeal will go up. If you wear the right kind of clothes, are sporting a stylish haircut and have the right tattoos, it can also improve.
The number of missions you complete is another factor. Although it's a more unpredictable stat, the higher your sex appeal, the easier it will be to get yourself a girlfriend. Seeing as girlfriends offer some of the best perks and rewards in the game, it's worth trying to get the meter as high as possible.
Money
One of the most valuable resources in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is money. It lets you get more weapons, buy new properties, add some outfits to your wardrobe, escape the police and much, much more.
When you first boot up the game, you'll likely feel like money is tough to come by, so here are some good ways to come across cash early:
- Complete Main Missions - It may seem simple but it's a very effective way of raking in dough fast. Although some missions will reward you purely in respect, others will offer a lot of money when completed, so follow the main storyline if you're saving up some cash.
- Complete Vehicle Missions - If you can get your hands on a cop car, taxi, ambulance, fire engine or train, you've got yourself a method of making a lot of money quickly. Press the Right Analogue Stick / 2 key while in the vehicle and complete the mission to get some cash.
- Kill Drug Dealers - Keep an eye out for drug dealers walking the streets. They always keep a lot of money on them and, if killed, will drop it where they die. It's an easy way to get some bills in your pocket without expending much effort.
- Rob Some Houses- Once you've met up with Ryder a few times, he'll show you how to rob houses. If you need some cash, it's a really great way to make bank during the early hours of the game.
- Gamble on Games - The effectiveness of this tip depends on your skill level, but you can make a fair amount of money betting on activities like the Low-Rider Challenge and pool. Just crank up your bet and watch the dollars come rolling in.
Clothing, Tattoos and Haircuts
There are several ways to alter CJ's appearance that don't revolve around stats. Whether you're after clothes, tattoos or a fresh haircut, there's a multitude of shops littered through San Andreas that can give you a new look.
Here are the main shop types you can head to if you're in the mood for a style switch-up:
Barbers
One of the earliest options to change CJ's appearance in the game, barbers are unlocked after the Ryder mission. You'll get a short tutorial during the level showing you how to get a trim, but for those that have forgotten how, all you have to do is head into the shop and walk into the red marker.
The barber will offer you a range of different styles to choose from. Don't worry about selecting one without seeing it first. After you pick a style, the barber will give you a preview of how it will look. Once you find one you're happy with, confirm your choice and CJ will leave the shop.
Clothes Shops
Clothes shops are another good opportunity to customize CJ. They'll be unlocked during the Nines and AKs mission. Much like the barber, all CJ has to do to buy clothes is head over to the red marker in front of the changing rooms. Once inside, you'll be able to select the item you want to try on.
You'll then get a preview of the item. Press confirm on the item you want and it'll be added to CJ's wardrobe. You can buy as many items of clothing as you want in one visit to a store, although CJ will leave wearing the final items you bought. For a full list of all the clothing items in the game, check out IGN's Clothing Stores Guide.
Tattoo Parlours
The final piece of the vanity puzzle is the tattoo parlour. Go inside and walk into the red marker to ink yourself up. As always, you'll be able to preview the tattoo you're interested in before you're locked into buying it, so don't worry about looking at anything that piques your curiosity.
Tattoos range in price and size, and you can choose to put them almost anywhere. Note, though, that some tats will be obscured by clothing. If you splash out on a big back tattoo, consider going shirtless. Passersby will also comment on your tattoos, so choose well. It's a good idea to get a Grove Street tat to impress your homies.
Gyms and Excercise
As mentioned during the Stat section, one of the main ways to keep your is to check in at the gym. CJ will first be introduced to the gym after the Drive-Thru mission, with Sweet suggesting he goes there to pack on some muscle. The Gant Gym will then be unlocked and CJ can head there whenever he likes.
Once inside, you'll have access to the dumbbells, the bench press, the treadmill and the exercise bike. Each will have a corresponding mini-game that boosts CJ's stats. The dumbbells and bench press focus on Muscle, tasking you with alternating between the X / A / SPACE button and the CIRCLE / B / LMB button to complete reps. Meanwhile, the treadmill and exercise bike boost stamina and lower fat, with the mini-game seeing you mash X / A / SPACE.
If you work out too much in one day, the game will tell you that CJ's worn out and ask you to come back the next in-game day. It means it's worth focusing on whichever stat you want to increase the most when you head over to the gym.
Once your Muscle's high enough, you'll be able to fight the gym trainer. If you win, they'll teach you some new melee moves, so it's definitely worth interacting with them. Each trainer has a different speciality, although they'll all teach you a variation of a combo, a ground attack and a running attack.
Side-Activities
Throughout Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, you'll come across a wealth of side activities to enjoy while away from missions. For the most part, completing these side missions nets some great rewards, whether that's enhancing stats, offering vehicles or providing you with a ton of cash. Here are some of the most prevalent ones to keep an eye out for:
Burglar Missions
Once you complete Ryder's Home Invasion mission, you'll be able to rob several houses scattered around the map. You'll have to find and drive a black van to complete the levels. You can find one just across the road from Ganton Gym.
Completing Burglar missions can net you the Infinite Sprint ability, so it's well worth doing. Check out IGN's Burglar Missions Guide for further details on how to ace the side activity.
Vehicle Missions
When hopping into special vehicles, you'll be able to activate unique side activities for cash. These range from catching criminals in police cars and taking patients to hospitals in ambulances to delivering pedestrians to their desired destinations in taxis and putting out fires in fire engines. These side activities usually have 12 levels to complete, with CJ getting major cash rewards as well as unique perks.
The perks are what you're really after here and can net you some great abilities early in the game, including max health, more body armour and invulnerability to fire. For a detailed breakdown of all the vehicle missions and how to complete them, check out IGN's Vehicle Mission Guide.
Races and Stadium Events
Throughout CJ's adventure, he'll have several opportunities to race, whether that's in each city's official stadium or through illegal street races. Players will have to boost their driving skills to enter some competitions, but they're well worth the hassle, as they reward CJ with a lot of money and even some neat new vehicles.
If you're looking to get stuck into the San Andreas racing scene, take a look at IGN's breakdown of all Race Tournaments and Stadium Events.
Vehicle Schools
Further into CJ's adventure, he'll have the opportunity to boost his vehicle skills through new schools. You can find four of them throughout the game, with schools for cars, boats, planes and bikes. If you want a breakdown of each school and how to complete them, head over to IGN's Vehicle School Guide.
Girlfriends
After the C.R.A.S.H mission Burning Desire, CJ will be able to take girls out on dates. There are six girls to meet throughout San Andreas, with each having their own date preferences. Dates in San Andreas revolve around picking girls up, finding a location you feel they'll enjoy and taking them there. If a date goes well, CJ takes the girl home and his relationship with them increases.
Dating girls can net CJ some great rewards, including new clothes and cars. The main reason it's worth focusing on early though is the perks, with most girls offering CJ useful abilities. These range from getting a free Pay 'N' Spray to no longer losing all your weapons when you die, so seeking out girlfriends early is a great tactic.
If you want to know more about the girlfriend mechanic, take a look at IGN's Romance Guide.
Gang Warfare
Once you complete the Doberman mission for Sweet, you'll be able to incite gang wars against rival street gangs. To start a battle, go into any gang territory on the map that isn't marked green (the Grove Street colours). Once you're in a territory, start shooting the rival gangsters there.
Your actions will quickly provoke a gang war, and rival gang members will flood the neighbourhood. Every gang war has three waves of attackers, and you will be told you survived the wave once it's complete. After each wave, be sure to pick up any weapons and money the rival gangs drop. Body armour and health should spawn nearby too.
Once you've survived all three waves, you'll control the territory. It's now yours on the map and appears green. Your own gang member will now be seen in the area... but it won't remain yours forever. Rival gangs will constantly try to take your turf over, and when they do, it will flash red and an icon will appear.
Exports and Imports
After completing the Custom Fast Track mission, CJ will be able to steal and deliver exotic cars for cash. You'll find the list of stealable cars on a blackboard next to a pier in the Easter Basin of San Fierro. There's even the chance to buy the exotic cars you've stolen.
For a full breakdown of the Exports and Imports mission line, check out IGN's Exports and Imports Guide.
Asset Missions
Throughout San Andreas, you'll be able to acquire a number of properties that you can use to rake in cash. Although you'll get a couple of these properties through the story, others will require you to complete missions to unlock them as assets. These objectives are usually themed around the building you're profiting from, meaning Burger Shot will have you deliver orders before it becomes an asset and Hunter's Quarry will have you hauling rocks.
Eventually, you'll be able to make big money from these locales, so focusing on asset missions is a great way to drum up funds. For a full guide on every asset mission and how to complete it, have a look at IGN's Asset Missions Guide.
Challenges
If you feel you're becoming pretty skilled at Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, one way to test your abilities is to take on challenges. These can be found all around Los Santos, San Fierro and Las Venturas, tasking CJ with completing triathlons, low-rider show-downs and tricky time trials. You won't just win the pride of beating these tough trials; you'll also get a very sizeable injection of cash.
Want to know how to smash through these trials? IGN's Challenges Guide has you covered.
Activities and Games
In terms of less life-threatening side activities, CJ can also enjoy a large line-up of games, gambling, and shooting ranges. Whether you want to play basketball, bet on some horses, dominate at pool or rack up a high score on the arcade cabinets, San Andreas is a world filled with ways to pass the time.
If you want a full list of activities and games to seek out in San Andreas, head on over to IGN's Activities and Games Guide.
Collectables
In addition to main missions and side activities, you'll also find a bunch of collectables on your travels. You'll usually get a worthwhile reward for finding a complete set of trinkets, so it's worth taking the time to seek them out as you explore Los Santos, San Fierro and Las Venturas. Here's every type of collectable you'll come across in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas:
- Oysters: You'll find these scattered underwater. Every individual oyster will give CJ some pocket change, but the real reward comes after you collect all 50 oysters. Once the collection is complete, CJ's Lung Capacity stat will be maxed, he'll be able to date women regardless of his sex appeal and every girlfriend that dumped him will be dateable again.
- Horseshoes: These can be found all over San Andreas. They reward CJ with money and a boost to his Luck stat, which can only be increased by picking up horseshoes.
- Tags: These can be found in Los Santos. CJ will have to cover up tags with spray paint to log them as a collectable. After finding them all, a Molotov, AK-47, Sawn-Off Shotgun, and Tec 9 will start spawning in the Johnson house.
- Snapshots: All photograph locations are found in San Fierro. To log these collectables, you'll have to bring a camera with you to San Fierro and take photographs of all its major landmarks. capturing every landmark results in the Micro Uzi, Grenades, Pump Action Shotgun, and Sniper Rifle spawning in the Doherty Garage.
- Unique Jumps: Unique jump spots can be found all over San Andreas. Although they don't go towards 100% completion, they will reward CJ with money. Simply drive off the ramp and cash will go directly into CJ's account.