I'm going to be in Long Beach, CA soon. I haven't spent much time in CA and don't know much about the city except that it's near LA. I would love to know where some good swimming beaches are in the area. Is it too polluted or crowded for good swimming? I would love to snorkel but I'm sure that's not going to happen in such a heavily populated area. I don't mind driving several hours to a good spot. I appreciate any suggestions.

Long Beach has a couple of nice beaches and I am sure someone here can give you the names. Huntington Beach in Orange County and the beaches in the South Bay area of LA, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach are all very nice. Pollution is not a problem and this time of year, crowds shouldn't be a problem either. The biggest problem for swimming is that the water is cold with temperatures in the 60's. Surfers are not out in the water without a wetsuit and you won't see many swimmers. As far as snorkeling, the surf is too rough at most beaches and the water is not real clear (brings up lots of sand). I think you can snorkel at Catalina Island but someone else might have more info about that.

Long Beach does have pollution issues, as do many Southern California Beaches. Snorkeling at Catalina, or drive south to Crystal Cove between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach.

http://www.frankosmaps.com/Crystal_Cove_Fish_Card.htm

100% agree with mlgb. The stretch of sand in Long Beach's Belmont Shore is a fairly nice beach, but you have to investigate the water quality; there is a breakwater out in the ocean (to calm the water for ships going into the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles), and the schmutz in the water from the LA River and the Ports can't be washed out to sea easily. Some days, however, the water is just fine.

mlgb's suggestion to go down to Crystal Cove is excellent. In fact, you could also continue a few minutes down Coast Highway into Laguna Beach, park downtown and enjoy Main Beach. Good luck!

Heal the Bay publishes beach report cards and warnings of beach closures on its website:
www.healthebay.org/brc/grademap.asp?map=4

I guess when I said pollution was not a problem I was thinking mostly of Orange County. I don't know much about the beaches around Long Beach as I stated earlier but I guess I will be learning as my DD just moved there.

Just wanted the OP to realize the water is pretty cold this time of year. The link to the beach report card is helpful-some beaches are consistently good while others seem to go back and worth between a good grade and less than stellar report card.