Good on-ramp for going North from the Bay Area on the 5?

5 is possibly the slowest way out. not to mention it is as you may already be aware, not anywhere even remotely close to SF.

train out of ok to sac is i think daily though and extremely straightforward catch.

what didnt you like about hitching the 101? i know saisalito isnt the quickest spot and there are plenty of bussing options to places like petaluma and SR
 
5 is possibly the slowest way out. not to mention it is as you may already be aware, not anywhere even remotely close to SF.

train out of ok to sac is i think daily though and extremely straightforward catch.

what didnt you like about hitching the 101? i know saisalito isnt the quickest spot and there are plenty of bussing options to places like petaluma and SR
Nothing wrong with 101! Just too slow. Ended up going up 101 and made it from Oakland to Portland in 2 days and a morning, which wasn't too bad.