Long Beach is a great place and Cal State Long Beach is the BEST!!!! Public transportation however is not too good. You'll need a car especially if coming from Claremont. While there is public transportation taking you almost anywhere, it's slow since Long Beach (Like LA) is spread out.
Long Beach in general is sunny, warm, relaxed, friendly, artsy, beautiful, beachy, fun, liberal, suburban, city-like, generic, unique, quiet, loud and close to OC (Orange County) as well. You can get to the actual beach in about 10 minutes.
You'll love your time in Long Beach.
My pics on favorite places to go/things to do:
--- 2nd Street in Belmont Shore -cool shops, fun vibe and 5 minutes from the water.
--- Favorite place to Eat: McKenna's on the Bay ocated in the Alamitos Landing - ritzy but down-to-earth feel, slighty pricey but great ocean front eating. Go there just before sunset to snag a good table by the window and get ready to listen to live music.
---Fun Tourist Stuff: Queen Mary (a "Haunted Ship/Hotel), The Pike (super commercially boardwalk)
---Secret Places only a Native Would know: Skyline Park - Awesome views and a romantic place at sunset. Be careful going up some steep streets to get there (what's known as Signal Hill where the park is located). Also check out the Korean Bell in Nearby San Pedro for a similar and even more stunning view.
---Insider's know that...Naples Island (similar to the real life Venice) is a unique place where "streets" are canals and you get around via gondolas as you cruise past beautiful mansions!
---The one thing you gotta do in LB: Participate in the Long Beach Marathon (get involved either as part of the bike tour, half marathon runner, full marathon runner or volunteer). It's an all day party on the streets of LB!