The Esselen tribe of Indians, who lived along the banks of what is now known as the Carmel River, must have had their own name for the water course. That name is lost. History informs us that El Rio de Carmelo was named by Carmelite friars who were part of the Vizcaino expedition of 1603. The river was named in honor of Carmelite friars' patroness, Our Lady of Mount Carmel (the Virgin Mary).

A secluded section of the river, not far from its headwaters, passes through the little community of Cachagua. Here the flat, shallow bottom of the river is loosely paved with stones of green.

Cachagua is a word that may have its origins in either the Esselen or Spanish tongue; again, no one is sure. The Anglo community of Cachagua was established in 1880, and by then most, but not all, of the Esselen people had passed from the scene.