As far as climbing out from the Pelican Inn on Green Gulch vs. Diaz Ridge: Green Gulch you get to through a couple deer gates with a farm in-between so don't get confused. It is much steeper in parts and especially one part in the middle where I've only cleared it at top fitness and MTB gearing, but it's very pretty and less traveled and has fewer switchbacks and water bars. Diaz is a more mellow grade, but more switchbacky. Both have their good and bad sides.
In terms of getting to the Miwok descent instead of coastal back into TV, just go left instead of right when you get up to the ridge.