Anon, just wanted to fo some housekeeping on this dig if I may. The gent in the red shirt is not JorgeT. He is another TripA poster who posted pic(s) at ALAMITOS BAY. His pic is included in a group of pics from different posters. Our poster is in this pic. See reflection in pic.
So true. I caught that myself AFTER I had posted it. Here is another reflection. I suspect the old woman in the reflection, although she is prolly not JorgeT, shared a photo or two.
>For time of day, any hint with tide or sunlight/shadows?
At first blush, whenever I see no people out, I think "Dawn patrol". If this were noon or afternoon, then that's when everyone is out.
>Beach looks deserted. In the foreground the waves look fairly aggressive, but that could be due to heli flying fairly low to surface.
As for the sea conditions, the term "glassy" comes to mind. Minimal swells, zero whitecaps. Too calm for surfers here, so no surprise beaches are deserted.
General direction of photo is facing North by Northwest. Sun would be rising on your right in Summer, or over your right shoulder in Winter months as it is lower in the South during Winter.
To my mind, the pic appears at a fairly high altitude for a drone. My guess- helicopter. That may be why you are thinking those swells are rough seas. Think higher altitude, and those are swells that make you rise up and down a bit but, not rough.
Can't see enuf definition to see boats in the marina, but it looks like a nice sleepy dawn pic. Lack of definition could be to regular smoggy conditions over the LA basin.