Yup. Private equity firms are buying up all the veterinary clinics because they know people love their pets and will pay whatever the cost.
So fixing a cat used to be like $250 just a couple years ago, but once they own the majority of the clinics in your area then they'll jack up the prices. It's even worse for you being in California and in a town with only one vet.
That's why it's so important to get that mama cat fixed, because if you don't, you'll be getting all her kittens fixed every year until you're in the poor house or you just give up trying to care for them.