San Benito River

Crespi gave the name "San Bendicto" to the stream in 1772 to honor Saint Benedict, but the name later was contracted to San Benito. "The Land of St. Benedict" takes its name from the meandering San Benito River, seen for the first time by Father Juan Crespi in 1772.

Called Rio San Benito on an 1855 map, called R. Pajaro on an 1854 map, and called San Juan Riv. on an 1863 map; an 1860 map called it S. Juan R. An 1857 map has the name "Cañada Benito" along the upper reaches of the river.