river in central Calif., flowing from the Sierra Nevada into the Sacramento River: c. 350 mi (563 km)
Origin:
Sp San Joaquín, St. Joachim, father of Virgin Mary
See San Joaquin in American Heritage Dictionary 4
A river of central California, rising in the Sierra Nevada and flowing about 515 km (320 mi) west and northwest to form a large delta with the Sacramento River. The San Joaquin Valley is a rich, irrigated agricultural region.