It's been quite a few years but when we did it we'd leave timing it to be at the bridge at the crack of dawn catching the last of an ebb tide, motoring.
Fog and
shipping were the two things more concerning to me in those days... still are. If you are saying the only problem you had in 45 knots was some windward
helm 
I'd say you are good to go tacking up the coast.
But it can be deceiving how long it takes to tack up even 10 or 20 miles in even 15 knots with a
boat our size if you aren't used to it in swells and currents (compared to somewhat calmer bay conditions.) So I would recommend getting some practice sailing upwind in a steep chop there closer to the gate (north of it out of the
shipping lane of course) where you are close to home and then you can see, measure and
record how much headway your boat can realistically make in different wind/sea conditions, (and sail configurations) and use that info to inform your future ventures farther afield (when it is time to tack back up from HMB or Santa Cruz.) To be sure, as you've probably heard, read and seen, the entrance gets its share of steep waves at times, in certain spots, due to currents, sea conditions and bottom topography, and they aren't to be trifled with. Do a little planning and watch the weather/sea conditions
forecast, tide tables and know where you are and where the trouble spots are, but I wouldn't let it deter you. Do you have BoatUS tow
insurance? It's a good thing to have in case something, like an
engine, stops working. It's MUCH cheaper to buy it now than later!
edit... man that guy is wordy, ain't he?