17-Mile Drive is something everyone should do at least once.
Agreed, but I try to go much more often.
Also, Point Lobos, and Big Sur.
Hey, not sure they had it when you were there, but now they have a Palo Corona Regional Park just South of Carmel. You can hike up a steep trail .75 of a mile, and it's like flying over Carmel. You used to need a permit, but now you don't for all except one entrance.