Relaxing vacation suggestions
 

My husband and I are wanting to take a vacation in the US in May. We want somewhere with quaint shops, places to walk, ride bikes preferably northeast or northwest coast. (not gulf coast area). Any suggestions would be helpful!

Carmel and Monterey California are exactly what you describe.

Cape Cod

Seaside, Cannon Beach or Astoria Oregon.

Cape Cod, Matha's Vineyard, many towns in Vermont or Maine.

Whidbey Island, San Juan islands (near Seattle) and Victoria BC.

Santa Cruz in California (agree with Carmel etc)

I agree with tom's suggestions on the Oregon coast.

and I'll throw in most of the coastal towns and cities between Los Angeles and San Diego, southern California.

We used to love to ride bikes in the Napa Valley - anywhere from Calistoga (and the mud baths) to the North - all the way down to Sonoma (with it's Victorian themed plaza) in the south. There are other posts in here (under California) on visiting there.

And of course - down here in San Diego - people ride bicycles all over. :)

Vermont..the area near Burlington, where you can ride bikes in the Champlain valley and visit lots of cute towns with shops and antiques.

Bar Harbor Maine/Acadia National park...biking on the carriage roads, loads of places to walk. Only problem is that May can be rainy and maybe black fly season, I'm not sure.