I normally hang out in the C&V forum, but saw this and figured I'd comment. Perhaps someone else has already posted this, but with a 10 page long thread, I'll just put in my recommendation on the route. Big Sur is impassable now and the foreseeable future, so you'll have to go inland. I did just that on a credit card tour with 12 people. From Carmel, take the Carmel Valley Road up and over some very pretty hillsides over to King City, head south, then back on Hwy 1 somewhere south - there are a few options. Here's a thread from a couple of years ago with details.

17 Mile Drive in Carmel, cause there needs to be more pics on this thread.