In the Beginning

This article refers to the unnamed first mission to GTA San Andreas. The mission begins with a significant cutscene which introduces the main characters and sets up the storyline.

Mission
The mission begins as Carl "CJ" Johnson leave Liberty City via Francis International Airport for Los Santos in 1992 after learning from his brother, Sean "Sweet" Johnson, that their mother, Beverly, is dead.

Upon arriving in Los Santos, Carl takes a taxi, only to be pulled over by a C.R.A.S.H. team led by Officer Frank Tenpenny, with Officers Eddie Pulaski and Jimmy Hernandez assisting. After being carted away in their police car for allegedly carrying drug money, Carl learns that C.R.A.S.H. is framing him for the murder of Officer Ralph Pendelbury, who had only been murdered ten minutes ago (an event depict during The Introduction). Now blackmailed for a crime he didn't commit, Carl is forced to aid C.R.A.S.H. whenever the need arises, but not before C.R.A.S.H. ditches Carl in an alleyway in Jefferson, a Ballas territory.

With a BMX nearby, Carl must make his way back to his old home in Grove Street.

Quick walkthrough

 * 1) Get familiar with the controls, and mount the bicycle.
 * 2) Follow the blip on the map to the "CJ" icon, Carl's Mom's House on Grove Street.

Getting familiar
After the introductory cinematic scene, CJ begins his first mission. The player will find themself in Jefferson Alley (the territory of the Ballas, a rival gang), with $350 and no weapons. As there is no immediate danger to CJ's safety, it's advisable for the player to take a few moments to familiarize themself with the controls, the pause options, and the Radar. Once comfortable, mount the BMX with the blue cone marker hovering over it.

Pedaling your way home
Follow the roads to "CJ" icon on the map. It is southeast of the starting location. It is advisable to read the bicycling tips that pop-up as the player rides, especially if this is their first time playing this mission.

Optionally, before heading for the map icon, the player can take a detour for extra items. After mounting the bike, leave the alley and go around the corner on the left to the red building, Jefferson Motel. Climb the stairs to find a MP5 on the roof. Continue on the way to the map icon, but look beneath the bridge overpass near Carl's Mom's House for Armour and a Micro SMG. There's also a 9mm pistol in a back-yard nearby and a Tec-9 on Sweet's house roof.

Enter the Grove Street cul-de-sac, and walk into the round red mission marker to complete this mission and begin Big Smoke (Mission).