It doesn't feel like the old days anymore; now when I go to Santa Monica Mall, the prices are outrageous.

In the past, I used to enjoy unlimited brunch with friends for around $30, but now just looking at the menu makes my head spin. A Corona beer for $10? The prices are insane.

It feels like not just having a 'cold beer' but rather a 'lightweight sucker experience.' My friend and I said, "Should we order two beers and one nacho?" and after seeing the bill, we just looked at each other and laughed... this is the reality these days.

The most famous places are 3rd Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place. Here, tourists, locals, and students all gather. But that also means the food prices are no joke. A burger set with tax is almost $25, a pizza is close to $30, and coffee starts at $7. Plus, you have to tip separately... Eating out now means at least $40 per person.

The problem is that the service and taste aren't overwhelmingly good for the high prices. It's just the atmosphere, the view, and the tourist premium that are all added on. Restaurants inside the mall all emphasize "ocean view," but honestly, the beach is just a short walk away, so there's no reason to sit there and drink a $10 beer.

These days, when I want to eat inside the mall, I calculate taxes, tips, and parking fees in my head before even ordering. In the past, I could just say, "I'll treat today!" but now it's more like, "Can I order this...?" Even couples on dates end up focusing more on the price tag than the atmosphere. People feel so pressured that they even say, "Should we just walk around and have coffee?"

As a result, many shops are empty on weekdays with hardly any customers.

The issue isn't just the prices. After the pandemic, rent has skyrocketed, labor costs have increased, and ingredient prices have gone crazy. So restaurants have no choice but to raise their prices.

But from a consumer's perspective, it feels excessive. A $10 Corona beer has become a symbol of this situation.

That said, Santa Monica isn't without its charm. If you walk just a bit away from the mall towards the beach, the sunset view is truly amazing. Watching street performances and taking a stroll on the beach still brings that LA vibe. The problem is that enjoying it costs too much. Parking is at least $20, a snack is $10, lunch is $30, and with that, a day's date easily exceeds $100.

In the end, Santa Monica has become a place that is 'cool but expensive, beautiful but tiring.'

Many people go to enjoy the atmosphere but return to reality after seeing the bill. It used to feel like a casual weekend getaway, but now it's a place you need to mentally prepare to visit.