GTA 5 Easter Eggs & Secrets
All hidden locations, mysteries, and pop culture references in GTA 5
Last updated: January 2026
Grand Theft Auto 5 contains over 50 easter eggs, from aliens and Bigfoot to movie references and hidden locations. This guide covers all the major secrets Rockstar hid throughout Los Santos and Blaine County.
Major Easter Eggs
Frozen Alien (Prologue)
EasyNorth Yankton - Under the bridge during prologue
During the opening mission, drive toward the train tracks but take a detour down the right side of the hill. Head across the frozen river until you are under the bridge to find an alien frozen under the ice.
Requirements: Available during prologue mission only
Underwater UFO
MediumNorthern edge of the map, underwater
A crashed UFO rests at the bottom of the sea at the northern edge of the map. Take a submarine to these coordinates to find alien remains and the crashed spacecraft.
Requirements: Submarine (available after certain missions)
Mount Chiliad UFO
HardMount Chiliad summit
At 3:00 AM during rainy or stormy weather, a UFO appears above Mount Chiliad. You must have 100% game completion to trigger this event. The UFO is holographic and cannot be approached.
Requirements: 100% completion, rain/storm at 3 AM
Fort Zancudo UFO
HardAbove Fort Zancudo military base
Another UFO hovers above Fort Zancudo. This one appears solid but will still disappear if approached too closely. Requires 100% completion.
Requirements: 100% completion
Bigfoot (Real)
MediumPredator mission - Thermal scope
During the mission 'Predator' as Michael, use the thermal sniper rifle and look at the lower right area of the forest. You will briefly see Bigfoot's heat signature before it disappears.
Requirements: During 'Predator' mission as Michael
Bigfoot (Costume)
HardThe Last One - Strangers and Freaks mission
After 100% completion, Franklin can hunt 'Sasquatch' in a side mission. However, it turns out to be a man named Franklin Clinton (no relation) in a costume.
Requirements: 100% completion, Franklin
Ghost of Mount Gordo
EasyMount Gordo, eastern peak
Between 23:00 and midnight, a female ghost appears on the rocks at Mount Gordo's eastern peak. The word 'JOCK' is written in blood below. This references a murdered woman whose husband Jock Cranley is a character in the game.
Requirements: Visit between 11 PM - 12 AM
Pop Culture References
Back to the Future
Satellite tower in Sandy Shores
The circuit box power sticker reads 1.21 GW - the exact power measurement Doc Brown needed to power the flux capacitor in Back to the Future.
No Country for Old Men
Mount Chiliad State Wilderness
A small dirt road leads to a clearing with four cars and dead bodies. At the bottom of the hill is a briefcase containing $25,000 - a scene recreated from the Coen Brothers film.
Halo - Master Chief
Vinewood Walk of Fame
Two men dressed in distinctive green armor stand on the Walk of Fame. Their outfits are clearly inspired by Master Chief from the Halo franchise.
Thelma & Louise
Chiliad Mountain State Wilderness
At certain times, two women in a convertible can be seen driving off a cliff, recreating the iconic ending of Thelma & Louise.
Lost TV Show Hatch
Underwater, east coast
Dive off the east coast to find a mysterious hatch underwater, referencing the Dharma Initiative hatch from the TV show Lost. Some players report hearing strange sounds.
Red Dead Redemption
Franklin's Vinewood mansion
A book titled 'Red Dead' sits on Franklin's bookshelf in his mansion - a direct reference to Rockstar's other major franchise.
GTA IV Characters
Various mentions
Niko Bellic is mentioned by Lester as 'some Eastern European guy' who went quiet. Johnny Klebitz from The Lost and Damned appears and is killed by Trevor in a mission.
Secret Locations
Playboy Mansion
Richman, northwest Los Santos
A huge mansion lies in Richman. Visit at night to find a party with swimmers, drinks, and the GTA version of the famous Playboy Mansion atmosphere.
Humane Labs Interior
Humane Labs and Research
Normally inaccessible outside missions, you can glitch inside by accepting a job invite and backing out. Explore the research facility's interior.
Golden Tree
East coast near Braddock Pass, Mount Gordo
Visit at night to see a tree that glows golden. During the day it looks completely normal. The cause of the glow is unknown.
Underwater Hatch
Pacific Ocean, east of map
A reference to Lost TV show. The hatch sits on the ocean floor and emits strange sounds, though it cannot be opened.
Abandoned Mine
Great Chaparral
An old abandoned mine shaft that connects to a small cave system. Contains some collectibles and environmental storytelling.
Tongva Valley
West of Vinewood Hills
Hidden valley with a crashed plane, multiple buildings, and various secrets. Worth exploring for hidden items and unique scenery.
Hidden Details & Fun Facts
- •Character Sleep Times: Each protagonist sleeps differently: Trevor - 12 hours, Franklin - 8 hours, Michael - 6 hours. This affects how quickly time passes.
- •Moon Phases: The moon goes through realistic phases over time. This is purely cosmetic but shows Rockstar's attention to detail.
- •Stock Market Realism: The in-game stock market (LCN) reflects player actions globally. If many players destroy LifeInvader vans, their stock drops.
- •NPC Phone Calls: NPCs actually have phone conversations. Follow them long enough and you can eavesdrop on their personal lives.
- •Dynamic Weather: Weather in GTA 5 follows realistic patterns. Rain in Blaine County often moves toward Los Santos.
- •Dog Behavior: Chop (Franklin's dog) reacts to various situations realistically. He can sense danger and will growl at threatening NPCs.
Easter Egg Hunting Tips
- •Many easter eggs only appear at specific times. Use character sleep to pass time quickly.
- •The thermal scope on sniper rifles can reveal hidden details not visible to the naked eye.
- •UFO sightings require 100% game completion - focus on finishing the game first.
- •Use the submarine for underwater exploration. Many secrets are hidden beneath the waves.
- •Mount Chiliad has a mysterious mural that fans believe hints at undiscovered secrets.