Description
Forms the southern portion of the larger, Central Valley. Bound on the southeast by the Tehachapi Mountains and on the southwest by the San Emigdio Mountains, trends north-northwest to form its northern boundary along the Mokelumne River extending southwest from the community of Jackson to Suisun Bay at the southern boundary of Sacramento Valley. (US-T121)
History
Named by Alferez Gabriel Moraga about 1806 during an exploration into the Central Valley. The name honors St. Jo Achim, traditionally represented as the father of the Virgin Mary. The name San Joaquin Valley came into general use at the time of the Pacific Railroad Survey, 1853-54.