Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas features one of the longest and most engaging storylines in the entire GTA franchise. With over 100 missions spread across three massive cities and the surrounding countryside, keeping track of every mission and knowing how to tackle each one can be overwhelming. Whether you are playing through the game for the first time or revisiting this classic adventure, having a complete ordered mission list with helpful tips at your fingertips makes the experience far more enjoyable.

This comprehensive guide provides every story mission in GTA San Andreas listed in chronological order, organized by the character who assigns them. Along with each mission grouping, you will find practical tips and strategies to help you complete even the toughest challenges without breaking a sweat.

Table of Contents

  1. How Missions Work in GTA San Andreas
  2. Chapter 1: Los Santos Missions
  3. Chapter 2: The Badlands and Countryside Missions
  4. Chapter 3: San Fierro Missions
  5. Chapter 4: Desert and Las Venturas Missions
  6. Chapter 5: Return to Los Santos Missions
  7. General Mission Tips for Every Player
  8. Most Difficult Missions and How to Beat Them
  9. Conclusion

How Missions Work in GTA San Andreas

Before diving into the mission list, it helps to understand how the mission structure works in GTA San Andreas. Missions are given by various characters throughout the game, and each mission giver is represented by a colored letter icon on your map. Some mission givers offer multiple missions that must be completed in sequence, while others only have one or two assignments.

Certain missions only become available after you complete prerequisite missions from other characters. This means you may need to bounce between different mission givers to progress the story. The game also locks certain areas of the map behind story progression, meaning you cannot freely explore San Fierro or Las Venturas until you reach specific points in the narrative.

Important Things to Know Before Starting

  • Always save your game before attempting a new mission so you can retry without losing progress.
  • Keep CJ's health and armor stocked up by eating food and purchasing body armor from Ammu-Nation.
  • Improve your weapon skills early by visiting the shooting range at any Ammu-Nation store.
  • Maintain CJ's physical fitness by exercising at gyms, as stamina and strength affect combat performance.
  • Some missions require specific skills such as flying or swimming, so practice these abilities between missions.

Chapter 1: Los Santos Missions

The game begins in Los Santos, the first and largest city you explore. CJ returns home after the death of his mother and quickly gets pulled back into the world of gang politics, corrupt cops, and street-level crime. Los Santos missions introduce core gameplay mechanics and establish the main storyline conflicts.

Big Smoke Missions

  1. In the Beginning: This is the introductory cutscene mission where CJ arrives in Los Santos and encounters Officers Tenpenny and Pulaski. Simply follow the on-screen prompts to reach Grove Street on the bicycle.
  2. Big Smoke: Drive Big Smoke to his house. This simple mission teaches you basic vehicle controls.
  3. OG Loc: Pick up OG Loc from prison and chase a rival gang member on a motorcycle. Stay close during the chase and be prepared for a brief on-foot fight at the end.
  4. Running Dog: Chase and eliminate a fleeing Vagos member on foot. Sprint training helps tremendously here.
  5. Wrong Side of the Tracks: One of the most infamous missions in gaming history. Follow the train on Big Smoke's motorcycle while he shoots at Vagos members on top. The key tip is to maintain a medium distance from the train so Big Smoke has clear line of sight to shoot.
  6. Just Business: Accompany Big Smoke on a deal that goes wrong. You handle shooting from the back of a motorcycle during an intense chase sequence. Aim carefully and focus on vehicles pursuing you.

Ryder Missions

  1. Ryder: Follow Ryder to get a haircut and then rob a pizza shop. This mission introduces the barber shop mechanic.
  2. Home Invasion: Break into a house at night and steal crates without waking the resident. Use the crouch button to move silently and grab all three crates before the time runs out.
  3. Catalyst: Steal ammunition from a military train. Fight off rival gang members while loading boxes into the truck.
  4. Robbing Uncle Sam: Infiltrate a National Guard depot and steal weapons. Use stealth where possible and shoot the locks off containers to access the crates inside.

Sweet Johnson Missions

  1. Tagging Up Turf: Spray paint over rival gang tags around Los Santos. This mission teaches you the spray can mechanic. Look carefully for tags in alleys and on walls.
  2. Cleaning the Hood: Clear out a drug den with Ryder. Simple combat mission that serves as a story setup.
  3. Drive-Thru: Chase down Ballas gang members in a drive-by shooting. Let your passengers handle most of the shooting while you focus on keeping up with the target vehicle.
  4. Nines and AKs: Visit Emmet to learn shooting mechanics and weapon handling.
  5. Drive-By: Perform drive-by shootings on Ballas territory with your crew. Drive slowly past enemy groups so your passengers can land their shots effectively.
  6. Sweet's Girl: Rescue Sweet from a dangerous situation in Ballas territory. Drive quickly and fight through enemies to reach him.
  7. Cesar Vialpando: Compete in a lowrider car bouncing contest. Follow the button prompts carefully to match the rhythm and win the competition.
  8. Doberman: Take over a Ballas-controlled territory by eliminating gang members. This mission introduces the gang warfare mechanic.
  9. Los Sepulcros: Assassinate a Ballas leader at a funeral. Climb over the cemetery wall and attack quickly before your target escapes.
  10. Reuniting the Families: Rescue Sweet from a police raid at a motel. This intense mission features multiple phases including on-foot combat and a dramatic highway chase.
  11. The Green Sabre: The final Los Santos mission where the story takes a dramatic turn. This mission is mostly narrative-driven and concludes the first chapter.

Officer Tenpenny (C.R.A.S.H.) Missions

  1. Burning Desire: Set a rival house on fire with molotov cocktails and rescue a woman named Denise trapped inside. Throw molotovs through the windows and then enter to save her.
  2. Gray Imports: Investigate a warehouse and eliminate all enemies inside. Bring plenty of ammunition and armor before starting this mission.

OG Loc Missions

  1. Life's a Beach: Attend a beach party and steal a sound system van. You must successfully complete a dancing minigame before you can access the van.
  2. Madd Dogg's Rhymes: Sneak into a mansion and steal a rhyme book. Use stealth throughout this mission to avoid alerting guards.
  3. Management Issues: Sabotage a rival music manager's car. Follow the target and eliminate him when the opportunity arises.
  4. House Party: Defend a party at OG Loc's place from attacking Ballas members. Stock up on weapons and armor beforehand.

Chapter 2: The Badlands and Countryside Missions

After the dramatic conclusion to the Los Santos chapter, CJ finds himself stranded in the countryside with nothing. This chapter features missions from new characters and marks a significant shift in gameplay as you explore rural areas.

Catalina Missions

  1. First Date: Meet Catalina and choose from four robbery missions. You can complete these in any order.
  2. Tanker Commander: Steal a fuel tanker from a gas station. Hook up the trailer carefully and drive to the destination.
  3. Against All Odds: Rob a betting shop using explosives. Plant the satchel charge on the safe and take cover before detonating.
  4. Small Town Bank: Rob a bank in Palomino Creek. Fight off police resistance during your escape.
  5. Local Liquor Store: Hold up a liquor store and escape on a motorcycle. Navigate the dirt paths carefully to avoid crashing.

The Truth Missions

  1. Body Harvest: Steal a harvester from a farm protected by survivalists. Drive the vehicle back to The Truth despite enemy resistance.
  2. Are You Going to San Fierro: Burn The Truth's marijuana field and then drive to San Fierro. This mission opens up the second major city.

Cesar Vialpando Missions (Badlands)

  1. King in Exile: A brief cutscene mission that advances the storyline.
  2. Wu Zi Mu: Race against other drivers in the countryside. Choose a fast car and learn the race route.
  3. Farewell My Love: Another countryside race with higher stakes. Win the race to receive a garage in San Fierro.

Chapter 3: San Fierro Missions

San Fierro opens up an entirely new chapter with fresh characters, new challenges, and a more urban environment compared to the countryside.

Carl Johnson Garage Missions

  1. Wear Flowers in Your Hair: Recruit new crew members across San Fierro by visiting several locations.
  2. Deconstruction: Destroy portables at a construction site using a bulldozer to avenge an insult.

Woozie Missions

  1. Mountain Cloud Boys: Accompany Woozie through Chinatown and fight off Vietnamese gang ambushes.
  2. Ran Fa Li: Retrieve a package from a car at the airport parking garage and deliver it while being chased.
  3. Lure: Act as a decoy driver to draw enemy attention away from a Triad meeting. Drive through checkpoints in the countryside.
  4. Amphibious Assault: Swim underwater to plant a bug on a ship. Your lung capacity must be high enough to attempt this mission. Practice swimming underwater beforehand.
  5. The Da Nang Thang: Assault a cargo ship from a helicopter and fight through enemies to free captives.

Zero's Missions

  1. Air Raid: Defend Zero's transmitters using a minigun turret against RC planes.
  2. Supply Lines: Control an RC plane to destroy delivery vehicles across the city. Manage your fuel carefully.
  3. New Model Army: Use an RC helicopter to help Zero's RC tank cross a battlefield. Remove obstacles and drop supplies strategically.

Jizzy B Missions

  1. Jizzy: Perform tasks for club owner Jizzy to gain his trust.
  2. T-Bone Mendez: Recover stolen packages during a high-speed chase on the highway.
  3. Mike Toreno: Locate Mike Toreno by tracking a signal across the city before time expires.

Final San Fierro Missions

  1. Outrider: Escort a van through the city using a motorcycle and rocket launcher to clear roadblocks.
  2. Ice Cold Killa: Confront Jizzy at his club and eliminate him. Enter through the skylight for a tactical advantage.
  3. Pier 69: Assault a pier during a drug deal meeting. Use a sniper rifle from the rooftop before engaging in close combat.
  4. Toreno's Last Flight: Chase down and destroy Toreno's helicopter before it escapes.
  5. Yay Ka-Boom-Boom: Drive a bomb-rigged car into a drug factory and destroy it. Exit the vehicle quickly after arming the bomb.

Chapter 4: Desert and Las Venturas Missions

The desert and Las Venturas chapter introduces flying missions, casino heists, and increasingly complex storylines.

Mike Toreno Missions

  1. Monster: Race a monster truck through desert checkpoints within the time limit.
  2. Highjack: Board a moving truck from a motorcycle at high speed.
  3. Interdiction: Protect a helicopter delivering a package by shooting down attackers from a hilltop.
  4. Verdant Meadows: Purchase the abandoned airstrip for $80,000 to unlock flight school.
  5. Learning to Fly: Complete all pilot school lessons. Practice each lesson multiple times to earn at least bronze medals.
  6. N.O.E.: Fly a plane at low altitude to avoid radar detection and deliver cargo.
  7. Stowaway: Chase a government plane on a motorcycle and board it before it takes off.
  8. Black Project: Infiltrate Area 69 and steal a jetpack from the underground facility. This is one of the most exciting missions in the entire game.
  9. Green Goo: Use the jetpack to intercept a military train and steal a mysterious substance.

Casino Missions (Woozie in Las Venturas)

  1. Fender Ketchup: Intimidate a man by placing him on the hood of a car and driving recklessly.
  2. Explosive Situation: Steal dynamite from a quarry while avoiding construction equipment.
  3. You've Had Your Chips: Destroy counterfeit chip machines inside a factory.
  4. Don Peyote: Rescue two lost musicians from the desert.
  5. Architectural Espionage: Photograph the blueprints of a rival casino.
  6. Key to Her Heart: Follow and seduce a casino employee to gain inside access.
  7. Dam and Blast: Plant explosives inside a dam to create a diversion during the casino heist.
  8. Cop Wheels: Steal four police motorcycles for the heist preparation.
  9. Up Up and Away: Steal a military helicopter from a heavily guarded base using a minigun.
  10. Breaking the Bank at Caligula's: Execute the elaborate casino heist. Follow each objective carefully and use the night vision goggles provided.

Madd Dogg Missions

  1. Madd Dogg: Save Madd Dogg from jumping off a casino roof by positioning a pickup truck beneath him.

Chapter 5: Return to Los Santos Missions

The final chapter brings CJ back to Los Santos for an explosive conclusion to the storyline.

Sweet and Finale Missions

  1. Home Coming: Reclaim Grove Street territory from drug dealers.
  2. Cut Throat Business: Chase OG Loc across the city in a dramatic pursuit.
  3. Beat Down on B Dup: Confront B Dup and reclaim more territory.
  4. Grove 4 Life: Take over remaining enemy territories with Sweet.
  5. Riot: Navigate through citywide chaos as riots break out across Los Santos.
  6. Los Desperados: Take back the barrio neighborhood with Cesar's help.
  7. End of the Line: The epic final mission featuring a multi-phase assault on Big Smoke's crack palace, followed by a dramatic car chase with Officer Tenpenny. Bring maximum health, armor, and the best weapons available.

General Mission Tips for Every Player

  • Save frequently: Use safehouses to save before every mission attempt.
  • Stock up before missions: Visit Ammu-Nation for weapons and armor. Eat food to restore full health.
  • Train your skills: Practice driving, flying, swimming, and shooting between missions to improve CJ's abilities.
  • Recruit gang members: In Los Santos, recruit Grove Street members to assist you during difficult combat missions.
  • Use vehicles strategically: Some missions are easier if you arrive in a specific vehicle type such as a fast car or a motorcycle.
  • Explore the map: Finding hidden weapon pickups and body armor locations gives you significant advantages during tough missions.

Most Difficult Missions and How to Beat Them

Wrong Side of the Tracks

Keep moderate distance from the train so Big Smoke can shoot effectively. Do not drive too close or too far. The sweet spot is about one car length away from the train.

Supply Lines

Conserve fuel by cutting the engine during glides and only accelerating when necessary. Prioritize the closest targets first to minimize travel distance.

Learning to Fly

Be patient and practice each lesson repeatedly. Use gentle control inputs rather than aggressive movements. The circle and barrel roll lessons are the most challenging.

End of the Line

Bring full health, maximum armor, an M4 rifle, and plenty of ammunition. Use cover throughout the building and take your time clearing each floor. During the final chase, stay close to the fire truck but avoid collisions.

Conclusion

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas delivers one of the most memorable and extensive mission experiences in gaming history. With over 100 story missions spanning three unique cities and a vast countryside, the game offers an incredible journey that remains engaging from start to finish. By following this complete mission guide and applying the tips provided, you can navigate through every challenge with confidence and skill.

Remember that preparation is the key to success in San Andreas. Always save before missions, keep your weapons and health stocked up, and continuously improve CJ's skills through practice and training. Whether you are chasing trains with Big Smoke, pulling off casino heists with Woozie, or taking down Officer Tenpenny in the explosive finale, this guide has everything you need to conquer every mission in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

Now fire up the game, follow CJ's incredible journey, and experience one of the greatest stories ever told in an open-world game.