Side Missions

Beyond the main story's thrilling narrative, Los Santos and Blaine County are brimming with a diverse array of side missions that offer unique challenges, humorous encounters, and valuable rewards. These activities range from structured "Strangers and Freaks" quests to spontaneous "Random Events" that can pop up at any moment. Engaging with these side missions is crucial for achieving 100% completion, unlocking special vehicles, and deepening your understanding of the game's rich world and eccentric inhabitants.

Strangers and Freaks

Strangers and Freaks missions are character-driven side quests, often marked by a question mark icon (?) on your minimap. Each character offers a series of missions, typically unlocking after specific main story progress. Some are exclusive to a particular protagonist, while others can be initiated by multiple characters. Completing all Strangers and Freaks missions is a significant step towards 100% game completion.

Tonya Wiggins: Pulling Favors

Tonya's missions involve Franklin assisting her with a tow truck business. These are excellent for early-game cash and improving Franklin's driving skills. There are five missions in total, all following a similar pattern.

Location: Starts near Franklin's initial home in Strawberry, marked by a green 'T' icon. The first mission, "Pulling Favors," becomes available after completing the main story mission "Complications."
Mission 1: Pulling Favors:
1. Drive to the marked location in Strawberry.
2. Approach Tonya, who is arguing with her boyfriend, JB.
3. Get into the Tow Truck parked nearby.
4. Drive to the broken-down car (often a Declasse Premier) marked on your GPS. It's usually located within a few blocks.
5. Carefully back the tow truck up to the vehicle and attach it using the prompt (usually right on the D-pad or equivalent on PC/Xbox). Ensure the hook is aligned with the vehicle's front or rear.
6. Drive the towed vehicle to the Impound Lot in La Puerta. Be mindful of traffic and avoid damaging the towed car too much, as excessive damage can fail the mission. Drive cautiously, especially around corners.
7. Detach the vehicle at the designated drop-off point within the impound lot.
8. Return the tow truck to Tonya.
Subsequent Missions: "Pulling Another Favor," "Pulling Favors Again," "Still Pulling Favors," and "Pulling One Last Favor" follow the same structure. The locations of the broken-down vehicles will vary across Los Santos and Blaine County.
Rewards: Each mission awards $100 and a boost to Franklin's driving skill. Completing all five missions is required for 100% completion.
Strategy Tip: Take wide turns when towing to prevent the towed vehicle from swinging into other cars or obstacles. Use Franklin's special ability (slow motion while driving) to navigate tight spots or heavy traffic with a towed vehicle.

Beverly Felton: Paparazzo

Beverly is a sleazy paparazzo who enlists Franklin to photograph celebrities in compromising situations. These missions offer a satirical look at fame in Los Santos and require stealth and photographic skills. There are five missions in this series.

Location: The first mission, "Paparazzo - The Sex Tape," starts in Vinewood Hills, marked by a green 'B' icon, after completing the main story mission "Fame or Shame."
Mission 1: Paparazzo - The Sex Tape:
1. Meet Beverly near the Vinewood sign.
2. He'll instruct you to find and photograph Lacey Jonas.
3. Drive to the marked location, a secluded area in Vinewood Hills.
4. Equip your phone camera (Up on D-pad, then select camera app).
5. Locate Lacey Jonas and her male companion. They will be in a compromising position near a bush or tree.
6. Position yourself to get a clear shot of them. Zoom in for a better angle (L2/LT + Right Stick Up). You need to capture both individuals clearly in the frame.
7. Take several photos until Beverly confirms they are good enough. You'll hear his voiceover or see a notification.
8. Send the photos to Beverly via your phone's gallery (select the photo, then "Send to Beverly").
Mission 2: Paparazzo - The Partnership:
1. Meet Beverly again. He'll ask you to photograph a celebrity couple, Poppy Mitchell and Shane Butler, at a restaurant in Rockford Hills.
2. Drive to the restaurant.
3. Find a good vantage point. You might need to climb onto a nearby dumpster or wall to get an unobstructed view of their table.
4. Take photos of them arguing and then of Poppy throwing a drink at Shane.
5. Send the photos to Beverly.
Mission 3: Paparazzo - The Meltdown:
1. Beverly wants photos of Poppy Mitchell having a meltdown.
2. Drive to the marked location, a clothing store in Rockford Hills.
3. Poppy will be running out of the store, pursued by security.
4. Chase Poppy in your car. She will eventually crash her vehicle.
5. Get out and photograph her distraught state and the aftermath of the crash.
6. Send the photos to Beverly.
Mission 4: Paparazzo - Reality Check:
1. Beverly needs you to photograph a celebrity leaving a plastic surgery clinic.
2. Drive to the clinic in Rockford Hills.
3. Wait for the celebrity, Al Di Napoli, to exit.
4. He will get into a car. Follow him discreetly.
5. He will eventually stop at a secluded spot to meet a prostitute.
6. Photograph Al Di Napoli with the prostitute.
7. Send the photos to Beverly.
Mission 5: Paparazzo - The Highness (Final Mission):
1. Beverly wants you to photograph Princess Georgina, a foreign royal, at a party in Vinewood Hills.
2. Drive to the party location.
3. You'll need to find a way to get a good shot. There's often a high wall or a nearby building you can use for a vantage point.
4. Photograph the Princess in a compromising situation (e.g., dancing wildly, drinking excessively).
5. After sending the photos, Beverly will try to ditch you without payment.
6. You have a choice:
  - Option A (Chase and Kill): Chase Beverly's car. If you catch up and destroy his car or kill him, you'll get $5000. This is the more aggressive option.
  - Option B (Let Him Go): If you let him escape, you get no additional reward, but you avoid a potential wanted level.
Rewards: Each mission awards $500 (except the final mission, which can award $5000 if you kill Beverly). Completing all missions is required for 100% completion.
Common Pitfall: Ensure your camera is zoomed in enough and the subjects are clearly visible for the photos to count. If Beverly doesn't confirm the photo, try adjusting your position or zoom.

Dom Beasley: Risk Assessment

Dom is an extreme sports enthusiast who ropes Franklin into increasingly dangerous stunts. These missions are great for improving Franklin's special ability and unlocking unique vehicles. There are four missions in this series.

Location: Starts in various locations, often near jump points, marked by a green 'D' icon. The first mission is typically found near the Land Act Dam after completing the main story mission "Chop."
Mission 1: Risk Assessment:
1. Meet Dom at the Land Act Dam.
2. He'll challenge you to a base jump.
3. Follow Dom to the jump point on the dam.
4. Equip the parachute (automatically provided if you don't have one).
5. Jump off the dam and deploy your parachute (X/A on consoles).
6. Attempt to land on the moving flatbed truck below. This requires precise steering and timing. Use the left stick to steer and the right stick to control pitch.
7. If you miss the truck, try to land safely on the ground near Dom. The mission can still be completed by landing safely, but landing on the truck offers a slight bonus to skill.
Mission 2: Risk Factor:
1. Meet Dom at the top of the Maze Bank Tower in Downtown Los Santos.
2. Perform a base jump off the tower.
3. The objective is to land on a specific target area on the ground, usually a small plaza or rooftop.
4. Again, precise steering and timing are key. Deploy your parachute early enough to gain control, but not so early that you drift too far.
Mission 3: Uncalculated Risk:
1. Meet Dom at the top of Mount Chiliad.
2. This mission involves a mountain bike race down the treacherous slopes of Mount Chiliad.
3. Follow Dom and try to stay ahead. Be careful of steep drops and trees.
4. After the bike race, you'll perform a final parachute jump from a cliff.
5. Land safely near Dom to complete the mission.
Mission 4: Liquidity Risk (Final Mission):
1. This mission becomes available after completing all other Dom missions and the main story mission "The Paleto Score."
2. Meet Dom at the top of a construction site in Downtown Los Santos.
3. Dom will attempt a jump without a parachute.
4. Franklin must jump after him and attempt to save him by deploying his own parachute and trying to grab Dom.
5. This is a tragic mission where Dom ultimately falls to his death. Franklin cannot save him.
6. After Dom's demise, Franklin will find a briefcase containing $100,000.
Rewards: Each mission awards $100 (except the final mission's $100,000). Completing all of Dom's missions is required for 100% completion and unlocks the Dodo seaplane for purchase from the Elitas Travel website.
Strategy Tip: For parachute jumps, practice deploying your chute at different altitudes to understand how it affects maneuverability and descent speed. Use the first-person camera for more precise control during freefall and parachuting.

Other Notable Strangers and Freaks Missions

While Tonya, Beverly, and Dom are detailed above, many other eccentric characters offer unique mission chains:

Barry (Franklin): Involves drug legalization rallies and hallucination sequences. Unlocks after "Complications."
Mary-Ann (Franklin, Michael, Trevor): A fitness fanatic who challenges each protagonist to a different physical contest (triathlon, cycling, running). Unlocks after "Complications."
Hao (Franklin): Introduces street races. Unlocks after "Shift Work."
Omega (Franklin): Involves collecting 50 Spaceship Parts scattered across the map. Unlocks after "Fame or Shame."
Abigail Mathers (Michael): Investigating her husband's death, involving collecting Submarine Parts. Unlocks after "Deep Inside."
Dreyfuss (Michael): Hunting for 50 Letter Scraps. Unlocks after "Fame or Shame."
Cletus (Trevor): Teaches Trevor hunting and involves hunting challenges. Unlocks after "Trevor Philips Industries."
Maude (Trevor): Bounty hunting missions for various targets. Unlocks after "Trevor Philips Industries."
Josh (Trevor): Involves property disputes and arson. Unlocks after "Trevor Philips Industries."
Rampage (Trevor): Five timed killing sprees. Unlocks after "Trevor Philips Industries."
Epsilon Program (Michael): A lengthy, multi-part questline involving strange rituals and significant cash rewards, but also requiring substantial cash investments. Unlocks after "Father/Son."

Random Events

Random Events are spontaneous, unscripted encounters that occur throughout the game world. These are not marked on the map until you are in close proximity, where a blue dot will appear on your minimap. They offer quick bursts of action, moral dilemmas, and often provide small rewards or unlock new content. Many are repeatable, but only the first completion of each unique event type counts towards 100%.

There are 60 unique Random Events in GTA V, and you need to complete 14 of them for 100% completion. However, completing all 60 is recommended for maximum rewards and exploration.

ATM Robbery

You'll often encounter a mugger attacking someone at an ATM. This is a common early-game random event.

Location: Various ATMs across Los Santos, particularly in busy areas like Rockford Hills or Little Seoul.
Walkthrough:
1. As you approach an ATM, you might hear shouting or see a blue dot appear.
2. Observe a mugger attacking a pedestrian and stealing their money.
3. You have a choice:
  - Option A (Intervene): Chase down the mugger. They will usually flee on foot. Tackle them (Circle/B) or shoot them to retrieve the money. Be careful not to hit the victim.
  - Option B (Ignore): Simply drive away. No reward or penalty.
4. If you intervene and retrieve the money, you can either return it to the victim (approach them and press the prompt, often granting a small reward or a boost to Franklin's special ability if he's the protagonist) or keep it for yourself.
Rewards: Small cash reward (if returned, usually $50-$200), potential special ability boost. If you keep the money, it's typically $500-$2000.

Lost Wallet

A pedestrian will drop their wallet, and you have the opportunity to return it.

Location: Can occur almost anywhere, often in pedestrian-heavy areas like Vespucci Beach or Downtown Vinewood.
Walkthrough:
1. A blue dot appears, and you might see a pedestrian drop something or hear them exclaim.
2. Pick up the wallet (stand over it and press the prompt).
3. The pedestrian will react, either asking for it back or running away if you don't immediately return it.
4. Approach the pedestrian and return the wallet.
Rewards: Small cash reward (usually $20-$50), sometimes a discount at a specific store later on, or a boost to a stat.

Car Jacking

You might witness a carjacking in progress, or someone asking for help to retrieve their stolen vehicle.

Location: Various streets and intersections, particularly in poorer districts like Davis or Rancho.
Walkthrough:
1. A blue dot appears, and you'll see a car being stolen or a victim pleading for help.
2. Chase the stolen vehicle.
3. Disable the vehicle by shooting its tires or ramming it. Be careful not to damage the car too much if the owner wants it back.
4. Eliminate the carjacker.
5. Return the vehicle to the owner (drive it back to the marked location).
Rewards: Small cash reward ($50-$100), sometimes an invitation to a specific activity or a discount.

Other Notable Random Events

Runaway Bride: A bride runs from her wedding. You can either take her to the Altruist Cult or back to her fiancé.
Burial: Trevor can encounter two men burying a body. You can intervene or leave them be.
Stag Do: Franklin or Michael can pick up a drunk groom and his friends, driving them to various locations.
Hitchhiker: Various hitchhikers need rides to specific destinations, sometimes with unique outcomes.
Border Patrol: Trevor can encounter border patrol agents harassing immigrants.
Bike Thief: Similar to carjacking, but with bicycles.
Drug Deal: You can interrupt a drug deal and steal the money.
Construction Accident: Help a worker trapped under debris.

Asset Missions

Once you purchase certain businesses (assets) as Franklin, Michael, or Trevor, you'll unlock recurring missions associated with managing those businesses. These are crucial for generating passive income and are often required for 100% completion. Each protagonist can purchase specific assets.

Tow Truck Impound (Franklin)

After purchasing the Tow Truck Impound in La Puerta for $150,000, Franklin can undertake tow missions similar to Tonya's, but with greater rewards and a steady income stream.

Location: The Tow Truck Impound lot, marked with a tow truck icon on the map.
Walkthrough:
1. Enter the impound lot and get into one of the available Tow Trucks.
2. A target vehicle will be marked on your GPS. These are usually illegally parked cars or broken-down vehicles.
3. Drive to the location, hook up the vehicle, and return it to the impound lot.
4. The missions are repeatable and provide a steady income stream.
Rewards: Significant weekly income from the asset (up to $2,000 per week), plus a per-tow bonus ($500-$1,000 per vehicle). Completing a certain number of tows (usually 5) is required for 100% completion.
Strategy Tip: These missions are straightforward. Focus on careful driving to avoid damaging the towed vehicle and attracting police attention.

Downtown Cab Co. (Franklin)

Purchasing the Downtown Cab Co. for $200,000 allows Franklin to occasionally receive calls for special taxi fares. This asset generates passive income and offers a unique perk.

Location: Anywhere in the game world, as calls come in on Franklin's phone. The Cab Co. itself is located in Downtown Los Santos.
Walkthrough:
1. Periodically, Franklin will receive a call from the Cab Co. asking him to pick up a special fare. These are usually VIPs or unique characters.
2. Accept the call and drive to the marked pickup location.
3. Transport the passenger to their destination, often with a time limit or specific driving requests (e.g., "drive carefully," "drive fast").
Rewards: Weekly income from the asset (up to $2,000 per week), plus a bonus for each successful fare ($100-$500). Completing a certain number of fares (usually 5) unlocks the ability to use the Cab Co. for free taxi services for Franklin, which is incredibly useful for fast travel.
Strategy Tip: Pay attention to the passenger's requests. Some prefer a smooth ride, others a fast one. Use Franklin's special ability to navigate traffic efficiently when time is a factor.

Other Purchasable Assets and Their Missions

Each protagonist can purchase various businesses that provide passive income and sometimes unique side missions:

Franklin:
- Smoke on the Water: A cannabis dispensary. Generates income, no specific missions.
- Los Santos Customs (Sandy Shores): Generates income, no specific missions.
Michael:
- Tivoli Cinema: Generates income, no specific missions.
- Ten Cent Theater: Generates income, no specific missions.
- Dorset Theater: Generates income, no specific missions.
- Pitchers Waffle House: Generates income, no specific missions.
- Car Scrapyard: Generates income based on destroyed cars, no specific missions.
Trevor:
- McKenzie Field Hangar: Unlocks air freight missions (smuggling cargo by plane or helicopter) for Trevor. These are repeatable and offer significant income.
- Paleto Bay Customs: Generates income, no specific missions.
- Hen House: A strip club. Generates income, no specific missions.

Managing these assets and completing their associated missions (like McKenzie Field's air freight) is essential for maximizing your in-game wealth and achieving 100% completion.

Collectibles

While not "missions" in the traditional sense, collecting various items scattered across Los Santos and Blaine County often unlocks specific Strangers and Freaks missions or provides significant rewards. These are crucial for 100% completion.

Spaceship Parts (50): Collected by Franklin, unlocks the Omega Strangers and Freaks mission chain and the Space Docker vehicle.
Letter Scraps (50): Collected by Michael, unlocks the Dreyfuss Strangers and Freaks mission chain and reveals a dark secret.
Submarine Parts (30): Collected by Michael, unlocks the Abigail Mathers Strangers and Freaks mission chain.
Nuclear Waste (30): Collected by Michael using the Kraken Submersible, provides a large cash reward per barrel and a total bonus.
Stunt Jumps (50): Completing all stunt jumps is required for 100% and improves driving skill.
Under the Bridge (50): Flying under all bridges in a plane or helicopter is required for 100% and improves flying skill.
Knife Flights (15): Flying sideways between buildings is required for 100% and improves flying skill.

use online maps and guides for the precise locations of these collectibles, as they are often hidden in obscure places.

Activities

Beyond structured missions, GTA V offers a plethora of activities that contribute to character skill development, 100% completion, and general enjoyment.

Sports:
- Tennis: Play matches at various courts. Improves stamina.
- Golf: Play full rounds at the Los Santos Golf Club. Improves stamina.
- Darts: Play at local pubs. Improves stamina.
- Triathlons: Challenging races involving swimming, cycling, and running. Improves stamina.
Shooting Range: Practice with various weapons to improve your shooting skill. Completing all challenges is required for 100%.
Flight School: Complete various flight lessons to improve your flying skill and unlock new aircraft. Required for 100%.
Street Races (Hao): Participate in illegal street races at night. Improves driving skill and earns cash.
Off-Road Races: Participate in dirt bike and ATV races in Blaine County. Improves driving skill.
Hunting (Cletus): Trevor can go hunting for animals, improving his shooting skill.
Yoga (Michael): A unique activity with Michael's family, offering humorous dialogue.

Engaging with this vast array of side content is not just about reaching 100% completion; it's about fully immersing yourself in the vibrant, satirical world of Los Santos and Blaine County, uncovering hidden stories, and mastering the diverse mechanics GTA V has to offer.