Vinewood & Downtown Vinewood
Vinewood is a district and historic neighborhood in Los Santos, San Andreas. Vinewood is most famously known as the centre of the city's world-renowned film industry.
The expansive district covers over 7 square miles and contains a mix of commercial strips, low-rise apartments, historic homes, modern mansions, and entertainment venues. While still part of the greater city, Vinewood has cultivated a unique identity and culture over its history.
History
The area now known as Vinewood was first settled in the late 1800s by wealthy ranchers and landowners looking to escape the crowded downtown area. The arid soil proved unsuitable for farming, so the district remained sparsely populated for decades.
In the 1910s, early filmmakers discovered the area's open rugged terrain ideal for shooting Westerns. They built the first basic movie sets and studios, kicking off Vinewood's association with cinema.
When talkies emerged in the late 1920s, Vinewood cemented itself as the heart of the motion picture industry. Major studios like Edison Studios, Vinewood Pictures, United Film Enterprises, and Galaxy Films set up backlot facilities and offices throughout the district.
Glitz and glamour followed quickly. Extravagant movie star mansions popped up in the hills. The main boulevard downtown became a buzzing commercial and nightlife hub. By the 1940s, Vinewood had come to epitomize the Golden Age of cinema.
Over the decades, Vinewood weathered rises and falls along with the movie business. But even through changing tastes and economic trends, it maintained its status as Los Santos' movie-making machine. A new wave of studios and media companies still call Vinewood home.
In recognition of its history, the Vinewood Historic District was officially designated in 1979. Many of the landmark studios and celebrity homes built between the 1920s-1950s gained protected historic status.
Today, Vinewood remains both a functional working district for the entertainment industry and a beloved landmark historic neighbourhood. Tourists flock to see the Walk of Fame and historic studio lots. But a new generation of actors and filmmakers also inhabit Vinewood, keeping its future bright.
Downtown Vinewood
The heart of the district is the Downtown Vinewood commercial and entertainment corridor centered along the main Vinewood Boulevard. This bustling historic stretch features Broadway-style theaters, boutiques, restaurants, bars, and major studio facilities.
The iconic Capitol Pictures building anchors the downtown area with its famous domed tower. Other studios like Vinewood Pictures and Edison have their main gates and administrative buildings lining downtown Vinewood Boulevard.
Several live performance theaters are also located downtown, including the Flamingo Theater, the Vine Theater, and the Vinewood Bowl outdoor concert venue.
Upscale hotels like The Von Crastenburg cater to visiting celebrities and tourists. Famous cocktail bars and dining institutions like The Brown Streak railroad cafe and Up-n-Atom Burger have been neighbourhood fixtures for decades.
The Paramount Theater hosts glamorous movie premieres where the stars come out to walk the red carpet. Impersonators and street performers are a common sight, recreating the golden years.
Downtown Vinewood's mix of historical charm, mystique, and urban energy makes it one of Los Santos' most dynamic districts. Walking down the Boulevard feels like stepping straight into showbiz lore.