BY YOUR LEAVES : Autumn Is Not Only in the Air, It’s on the Trees and Crunching Underfoot

That extra slice of Thanksgiving pie may weigh on your conscience (not to mention your thighs), and the kids will certainly howl if parents dip into what’s left of the Halloween candy, but there is one seasonal indulgence that is guilt-free. The treat is not only pleasing to the senses, it’s cheap, healthful and, at this time of the year, it literally grows on trees.

We’re talking fall color: the annual showcase of deep ambers, burnished golds and vivid oranges that Mother Nature presents gratis even in temperate Orange County. Granted, this is no New England, but if you’re willing to scout around a bit, there’s some pretty impressive scenery close by. And if adults play their cards right, the kids might even let them shuffle through a few piles of dry leaves.

As director of Orange County’s Department of Harbors, Beaches and Parks, Tim Miller knows his trees. And he says autumn is the best time of year for families to get out and enjoy them.

“The weather right now is beautiful; the sky is blue, and, after a rain, you not only have the fall colors, you get the grasses coming up too,” Miller said. “The trees are starting to take a rest, and you have new life, so all in all, it’s pretty spectacular.”

Miller says he doesn’t expect the recent cold weather to shorten (or intensify) the fall color season, which typically lasts in this area into mid-December. However, the show could come to an earlier close if the Santa Ana winds kick up (as they did this week) and strip the trees of leaves.

Miller recommends walking in the morning or late afternoon for the best light and the chance to spot migrating birds as well as deer, coyotes and the occasional bobcat (from a distance).

Although by no means comprehensive, the following list includes a few of Miller’s favorite fall walking spots in the county’s park system, along with suggestions from local hikers, bikers and nature buffs. Most of these sites offer ranger- or docent-led tours on a regular basis, but because of staffing shortages, it’s wise to call before you go. Private tours can also be arranged. There is a parking fee at most of these locations, so be sure to pack a few bucks along with those extra socks and Barney canteens.

Trails in these areas vary in difficulty, but unless otherwise stated, all of these locales offer some access for young children and babes-in-backpacks.

O’Neill Regional Park

California sycamores are the big draw in this 3,000-acre parkland, which Miller says is home to one of the county’s largest and most mature populations of these deciduous trees.

The sycamores are dressed in a brilliant golden yellow right now, and although you’ll have to wait until next fall to take in the park’s flashiest show (the 900-acre Arroyo Trabuco Wilderness isn’t scheduled to open to the public until February or March), there are scattered groves of these trees throughout the park. Also look for the California holly, or toyon plant, a shade shrub that now sports bright red “Christmas berries,” and masses of poison oak (remember kids: Look but don’t touch), now dressed in shades of green, yellow and scarlet.

In O’Neill and other wilderness areas, Miller suggests you keep an eye out for the California buckwheat, a small rounded shrub currently topped by rusty red heads.

O’Neill park ranger Sara Girard coordinates a “Family Stroll” every Sunday afternoon at 4 and a campfire program on the first and third Saturdays of the month. Both are free. Maps outlining the park’s six miles of nature trails are available at the park office, said Girard, who added that trails in the western section offer some of the best vistas.

O’Neill Regional Park, 30892 Trabuco Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon. (714) 858-9365.

Ronald W. Caspers Regional Park

Saturdays and Sundays at 9:30 a.m., rangers at this 7,600-acre park lead adult visitors on a one-mile walk through several natural environments, including an oak woodland and scattered sycamore groves. During the walk, guides discuss local natural history and demonstrate how Native Americans used some of the plants found here. Keep an eye out for possums, deer and coyotes. There’s also a 7 p.m. campfire program most Sundays, also for adults only.

Note: The park is restricted to visitors ages 18 and over, due to the danger of mountain lions in the area.

Ronald W. Caspers Regional Park, 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. (714) 728-0235.

Aliso & Woods Canyons Regional Park

Stop by this 3,400-acre parkland on the first Saturday of each month at 8:15 a.m., and you can join a “fairly easy” three-mile walk through the canyon, says park ranger Tom Maloney. But keep your hands to yourself should you venture further up the canyon.

“Poison oak is the most colorful plant we have here,” Maloney warns.

As the weather cools, the rarely-seen Southwestern ferret is making infrequent guest appearances as it dashes in and out of gopher holes in search of food, said Maloney, who adds that your best chance to sight animals is in the early morning or late afternoon.

Aliso & Woods Canyons Regional Park, Aliso Creek Road at Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel. (714) 831-2791.

Santiago Oaks Regional Park

A ranger-led tour titled “A Stroll Through the Oaks” takes place at this 550-acre park this Saturday at 10 a.m. And most Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m. rangers lead a one-hour program that includes a hike and visit to the interpretive center, a renovated 1939 cottage. The center is open most days from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The park, which features a small playground and picnic area, has a good showing of sycamores and willows along Santiago Creek, as well as an “exotic forest” with Chinese pistaches and liquidambars, said ranger John Bovee.

Santiago Oaks Regional Park, 2145 N. Windes Drive, Orange. (714) 538-4400.

Gen. Thomas F. Reilly Wilderness Park

Just south of Coto de Caza, this new 475-acre park will open Dec. 10 with a free day of tours, hayrides and exhibitions; Saturday morning programs are planned in the future. Visitors should look for golden yellow sycamores in the south end of the canyon and “bring your camera,” says ranger Ginny McVikar.

Gen. Thomas F. Reilly Wilderness Park at Wagon Wheel Canyon, Oso Parkway at Coto de Caza Drive. (714) 728-0235 .

Carbon Canyon Regional Park Chino Hills State Park

The 124-acre Carbon Canyon Regional Park offers a kind of family “two-fer” package, says ranger Jeff Bukshpan. If you’re toting children, you may appreciate its picnic areas, paved bike trails and tot lots, as well as the short (45 minutes, tops), ranger-led nature walk through its redwood groves each Saturday at 8:30 a.m. More ambitious hikers can take advantage of miles of more rugged trails inside the park and in the adjacent Chino Hills State Park.

In fact, Bukshpan said, hikers and mountain bikers often use the Carbon Canyon park as a staging area for forays into Chino Hills’ 13,000 acres. The best spots here for fall color: Telegraph Canyon Trail, a moderately strenuous six-mile hike through oak and sycamore groves (there are break-off points on that trail if it proves too much for your brood). Guided tours are available by appointment. Visitors can pick up a trail map at the interpretive center.

Carbon Canyon Regional Park, 4442 Carbon Canyon Road, Brea. (714) 996-5252.

Chino Hills State Park, enter near the corner of Sapphire and Elvinar streets, Chino Hills. (909) 780-6222.

And Beyond . . .

What, you want more? Several outdoorsy types suggested the Cleveland National Forest, where strong hikers who can reach 3,000- to 4,000-foot altitudes will be rewarded with lots of fall color and panoramic vistas. Hot spots outside the county include Rancho Cuyamaca State Park near Julian in San Diego County and the San Bernardino Mountains from Crestline into Big Bear, where Miller says dogwood trees are garbed this time of year in “all shades of red.” (Unseasonably cold temperatures in both areas mean a shorter autumn show, so it would be wise to call ahead. You can reach the Lake Arrowhead Communities Chamber of Commerce at (909) 337-3715 or the Julian chamber at (619) 765-1857.)

If you’re short on time, the 26-acre Fullerton Arboretum (1900 Associated Road) features a bite-sized deciduous forest with ash, catalpa and liquidambar, along with several distinct California environments ((714) 773-3579). By the way, according to Nick Percan of the city’s landscape department, Fullerton is one of several cities in the county to earn the distinction of “Tree City U.S.A.” for the variety and condition of its 40,000 trees. Other colorful spots in the city include the 100 and 200 blocks of North Cornell Avenue, where the leaves of dozens of gingko trees are turning a deep gold, and the 1200 block of East Nutwood Avenue, which is lined with multicolored liquidambars.

In Anaheim, the golds and yellows of California sycamores and California black walnut trees are intermingled with evergreen live oaks at the 60-acre Oak Canyon Nature Center (6700 E. Walnut Canyon Road). Popular with families for its variety of easy trails and its hands-on interpretive center, the center hosts regular family walks and educational programs for kids. Coming up on Wednesday is “Sleepy-Eyed Squirrels” for children age 3 to 6, and there’s a family-oriented bird walk on Dec. 3. There is a nominal fee for most of their public programs, and reservations are suggested. Call (714) 998-8380.

* CHILDREN’S LISTINGS, Page 27

MORE KID STUFF

IN LA MIRADA: A CHRISTMAS MUSICAL

Kids wrote the book on Christmas, so why shouldn’t they pen a one-hour show about it too? On Sunday, Nov. 27, at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., kids’ songs and stories are woven into “The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t.” $8. (714) 994-6310.

IN COSTA MESA: ‘LITTLE LEAGUE OF SCIENCE’

Taking a tip from children’s sports leagues, the Launch Pad science center, 3333 Bear St., debuts an after-school series aimed at boosting science and math skills through games and activities. Begins Monday, Nov. 28. $12 per class. (714) 546-2061.

IN MISSION VIEJO: HANUKKAH FESTIVITIES

On Monday, Nov. 28, 3- to 11-year-olds can open the Festival of Lights with a free program at Borders Books and Music, 25222 El Paseo. Activities at the 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. sessions include readings of Hanukkah stories and a menorah craft. (714) 367-0005.

Simba, Santa Share the Holidays

Simba had better invest in some woolly jammies, because starting today, the star of the popular Disney film “The Lion King” will be coexisting with Mr. North Pole himself, Santa Claus.

Because of the popularity of this summer’s “Lion King Celebration” parade (and, one might safely bet, the holiday re-release of the film), Disneyland officials have decided to keep the parade running through the Christmas season. Employing lifelike animated puppets and remote-controlled devices, the parade tells the story of the young lion cub as he travels through “The Circle of Life” to maturity. The parade runs today through Sunday, plus Dec. 3, 4, 10 and 11, and Dec. 17 through Jan. 2.

In addition, the park’s traditional “Very Merry Christmas Parade” will be presented daily with a seasonal array of dancing snowflakes, gingerbread people, Disney characters and, of course, Santa. The Christmas parade runs daily through Jan. 2.

Other holiday perks in the park include a 60-foot Christmas tree, strolling carolers and visits with Santa Claus. In 1995, Disneyland will mark its 40th year with several new parades and stage shows under the banner “40 Years of Adventures,” highlighted by the spring opening of its newest ride, the Indiana Jones Adventure.