Temple Drive Ballas Explained: GTA San Andreas

Streets of Los Santos Lore | Ballas & Families

Temple is a middle-class neighborhood located in the heart of Los Santos, San Andreas. It's a clean, urban area with palm-lined streets, modern apartments, and small commercial zones. Bordering Mulholland to the north, Vinewood to the west, and Market to the south, Temple sits right next to some of the richest and most high-profile districts in the city. Despite its upscale surroundings, Temple itself has a gritty undertone, with occasional gang activity hidden beneath its tidy appearance. It's a transition zone — not quite as poor as the nearby Ganton or Idlewood, but not as elite as Rodeo or Richman either.

The Temple Drive Families are a lesser-known but highly respected set under the Grove Street Families umbrella. Operating out of the Temple district, this set represents the green flag in a more mixed and semi-
suburban environment. While Ganton is the heart of Grove Street, Temple Drive Families hold it down on the north side, often acting as a buffer between the hood and the wealthier neighborhoods. They're known for being a bit more low-key and calculated, preferring finesse over reckless violence. Still, when war breaks out with the Ballas or other enemies, Temple Drive is ready to roll with the rest of the Families. Although they're not as prominently featured in the game, lore-wise, they're considered crucial to maintaining Grove influence outside the main hood.

The Temple Drive Ballas are one of the more dominant Balla sets in Los Santos. They operate right next to enemy turf in a district that’s clean on the surface but bubbling underneath with gang tension. Temple Drive Ballas are flashy, ruthless, and strategic. Their proximity to downtown and Vinewood gives them access to better resources, from weapons to connections in the drug trade. This set is known for its money-making mentality and stylish presence — purple cars, custom chains, and high-stakes dealings. They’re in direct conflict with the Temple Drive Families, and the two factions often clash in alleyways, rooftops, or parking structures of the Temple district. Their influence runs deep, and they’re one of the reasons the Ballas maintain such strong footing in central Los Santos.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is an open-world action video game where you play as a man named CJ (Carl Johnson). He comes back to his hometown, Los Santos, after being away for five years. He returns because his mom was killed, and now his family and old gang, the Grove Street Families, are in bad shape. CJ wants to help them get back on top.

The game takes place in a big state called San Andreas, which has three cities: Los Santos (like Los Angeles), San Fierro (like San Francisco), and Las Venturas (like Las Vegas). You can walk, run, drive cars, ride bikes, fly planes, and do lots of other things.

You do missions for different people — some are about helping your gang, others are for making money or moving the story forward. You can also do fun side stuff like racing, working out at the gym, changing your clothes, and even eating at fast food places.

The game is known for letting you explore, make choices, and live like you're really in the world. It's full of action, gangs, crime, and adventure, and it’s one of the most loved games in the GTA series.