In 1970 Los Angeles, private investigator Larry "Doc" Sportello is approached by his ex-girlfriend Shasta Fay Hepworth, who reveals that her current lover, real-estate mogul Mickey Wolfmann, is in danger. Shasta asks Doc to help protect Mickey from his wife and her lover, who allegedly plan to have him committed to an insane asylum. As Doc begins his investigation, he crosses paths with LAPD detective Christian "Bigfoot" Bjornsen, who is also intrigued by Wolfmann's disappearance. While navigating the seedy underbelly of LA, Doc encounters a myriad of eccentric characters, including dopers, surfers, and rockers, each with their own connections to the elusive Wolfmann.

Doc's search grows more convoluted as he uncovers a mysterious entity known as the Golden Fang, which appears to be involved in various illicit activities. His journey takes him through interconnected layers of crime rings, drugs, and a hippie commune, all while contending with Bigfoot's pressures and Shasta's unpredictable behavior. Despite the complex web of deceit and danger, Doc remains committed to finding out the truth behind Mickey's vanishing and safeguarding those he cares about amidst the chaos swirling around him.