Grand Theft Auto V takes place in the present day (on its launch) which is 2013. The game is set in the fictional Los Santos which is GTA’s replica of Los Angeles. Los Santos has been seen in GTA: San Andreas previously, however in GTAV Los Santos is a LOT bigger and more updated with locations looking almost identical to the real world.
Popular landmarks are in GTAV, such as Vespucci Beach (Venice Beach), Vinewwod (Hollywood), the Maze Bank Tower (US Bank Tower) and more. Around the city, countryside and desert you’ll see various types of people from stuck up glamour models, old dirty hipsters, bikers and the gangs of South Los Santos, all of which act differently towards Michael, Franklin and Trevor.