In this area of Santa Monica, convenient curbside parking is rarely available. But the intention of coming here is not so much ease as it is the accessibility to the sights of the Pacific Ocean, the thumping sounds of musical buskers, and the old-time appeal of the iconic Santa Monica Pier.Sometimes a park day is about the ease of pulling your car up to a playground, letting the kids get their yayas out, and going home. Coming to this side of town is experiential. It can be sensory overload with its tourists, midday brunch-goers and crescendo of car horns. Once inside the heart of Tongva Park, the soundscape is serene. Tucked away from Ocean Avenue, the park has an unexpected minimalist playground with hive-like structures, climbing walls and slides. Oh, the slides!

The playground looks like an art installation that can be touched, jumped on and climbed — basically, it’s every kid’s dream.

If you walk one block north along Ocean Avenue past the pier and the Ivy at the Shore and turn right on Broadway, you will find Interstellar, a self-described easygoing cafe featuring Korean fusion fare. At first glance, it appears to be a sit-down-only cafe, but don’t let that turn you away from your caffeine quest. Here, the culinary and the coffee worlds coexist. Trust the awning out front advertising coffee and get yourself a cup of joe. Interstellar welcomes to-go coffee orders.

“Coffee is an integral part of many people’s daily routines, and we wanted to ensure that our coffee could be enjoyed by everyone,” says Angie Kim, owner and executive chef. “Even if they’re on the move.”

Free 1.5-hour parking is available in parking structure number 6 on 2nd and Broadway. Once there you can stroll around the pier and take a Ferris wheel ride.

Interstellar is one block away at 109 Broadway. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday to Saturday; 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday