Beyond the 69 main story missions, GTA V is packed with side missions that unlock secrets, rewards, and hidden content across Los Santos and Blaine County. Known as Strangers & Freaks, random events, and miscellaneous activities, these missions are key to reaching 100% completion and discovering everything the game has to offer.

This guide breaks down all side missions in GTA V, which ones are required for 100%, and the hidden rewards you’ll unlock along the way.

Strangers & Freaks Missions (Major Side Content)

Strangers & Freaks are unique characters scattered across the map who give quirky and sometimes important missions.

Franklin’s Strangers & Freaks

  • Tonya Wiggins (Tow Truck Missions – 5 total)

    • Teaches towing mechanics.

    • Required for 100%.

  • Beverly (Paparazzo Missions – 5 total)

    • Stalk celebrities for photos/videos.

    • Final mission choice: kill Beverly or not.

  • Barry (Grass Roots Missions)

    • Franklin delivers “packages” and deals with marijuana campaigns.

    • Only Franklin’s Barry missions are required for 100%.

  • Dom (Extreme Sports – 4 total)

    • Base jumps, skydives, and stunts.

    • Unlocks unique parachuting challenges.

Michael’s Strangers & Freaks

  • Epsilon Program (10 Missions)

    • Join a cult that demands money and strange tasks.

    • Rewards: unique vehicles + ability to betray or join.

    • Required for 100%.

  • Beverly (Cameo in Paparazzo series)

    • Michael can help or interfere in Franklin’s arc.

Trevor’s Strangers & Freaks

  • Rampages (5 total)

    • Triggered by Trevor across Los Santos.

    • Mass shootouts with gangs.

    • Required for 100%.

  • Civil Border Patrol

    • Hunt down “illegal immigrants.”

    • Ends with a choice (kill or spare).

  • Maude (Bail Bond Missions – 4 total)

    • Bring bail jumpers back alive or dead.

    • Rewards money per target.

Multi-Character Strangers & Freaks

  • Nigel & Mrs. Thornhill

    • Obsessed with celebrities, send Trevor to harass them.

  • Omega (Collect Spaceship Parts – 50 total)

    • Reward: unlocks Space Docker (unique car).

  • Marnie & The Epsilon Program

    • Both Franklin and Michael can interact, but Michael is the key member.

Random Events (Hidden Side Content)

There are over 57 random events across the map. Only 14 are required for 100% completion, but many give unique rewards:

  • Armored Vans – Rob for quick cash.

  • Prisoner Lift – Pick up or ignore escaped convicts.

  • Drunk Friends – Drive NPCs home safely.

  • ATM Robberies – Stop muggers for easy money.

  • Celebrity Encounters – Tie into Nigel & Mrs. Thornhill missions.

✅ Tip: Explore on foot or drive slowly in new areas—events spawn more often.

Hobbies & Pastimes (Mini-Side Missions)

These count as side missions toward 100%:

  • Street Races (Franklin – 5 total)

  • Off-Road Races (Trevor – 6 total)

  • Sea Races (Michael/Trevor – 4 total)

  • Triathlons (Franklin – 3 total)

  • Shooting Range Challenges

  • Flight School

  • Parachuting Jumps (13 total)

  • Golf, Tennis, Darts, Arm Wrestling

These activities train skills, unlock hidden vehicles, and are mandatory for completion.

Collectibles (Secret Unlocks)

Side missions often tie into collectibles scattered across Los Santos:

  • 50 Spaceship Parts → Space Docker (Omega mission).

  • 50 Letter Scraps → Reveals Leonora Johnson’s killer.

  • 25 Under the Bridges → Helicopter stunt achievement.

  • 8 Knife Flights → Aircraft stunts.

  • 25 Stunt Jumps → Unlocks stunt mastery.

✅ Tip: Use Franklin’s special ability for Stunt Jumps and a Buzzard helicopter for Bridges & Knife Flights.

Rewards from Side Missions & Secrets

Completing side missions isn’t just busywork—it unlocks rare vehicles, weapons, and lore:

  • Space Docker (alien car) – from Omega.

  • Railgun / futuristic tech (Enhanced editions) – tied to random events.

  • Cult Secrets (Altruist Camp) – Hidden cannibal cult, unique cutscenes.

  • Leonora Johnson Mystery – From collecting all letter scraps.

  • Extra Crew Members – Some side missions unlock skilled heist crew.

Side Mission Tips for 100% Completion

  1. Switch Characters Often – Some missions only appear with the right character.

  2. Save Collectibles for Later – Clear them once you have a chopper and full map unlocked.

  3. Use Checklists – Rockstar Social Club or fan maps help track progress.

  4. Do Rampages with Trevor Early – Great way to level shooting skill.

  5. Play Epsilon Missions Wisely – The final choice affects your rewards (money vs vehicles).

Conclusion

Side missions in GTA V aren’t just filler—they unlock some of the game’s biggest secrets and are crucial for 100% completion. By tackling Strangers & Freaks, random events, hobbies, and collectibles, you’ll discover hidden rewards like the Space Docker, uncover Los Santos’ mysteries, and truly master the game.