COVER STORY : Fall in Love : The air is crisp and clear, suggesting a romantic outing, and there are plenty of placeswhere the atmosphere for a date is ideal.

In a Los Angeles autumn, there aren’t too many opportunities to gaze at changing leaves or crunch them underfoot on a long walk--at least not like there are back East.

But there are plenty of ways to exploit the season’s potential for romance. The crisp evening air and clear view of the mountains ought to be enough to inspire any self-respecting romantic (and even a few skeptics).

There are a variety of priorities for a good fall date. Some are fans of cool nights and warm fires; others prefer to return to the outdoors now that oppressive summer temperatures have flown south for the winter, and then there are those who choose to enjoy the vistas, recently emerged out of the summer smog, from the privacy of their cars.

Here are 10 great fall dates.

Candlelight and Firelight

Any romantic fall evening should include a fireplace. Some good ones are:

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1. AROMA COFFEE & TEA CO.

In addition to a pretty terrace, decorated with plants and trees, Aroma sports a back annex decorated like a living room. So while eating pastries and sipping lattes, customers can cuddle on the couch in front of the fire, or curl up in the big chairs for some cozy conversation. And take your time. You are unlikely to be rushed at this lovely cafe.

Hours: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. 4360 Tujunga Ave., Studio City. (818) 508-6505.

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2. BIG OAKS LODGE

Nestled in the Angeles National Forest, this weekend-only dinner restaurant provides both a woodsy atmosphere, complete with rock fireplace, and wonderful opportunities for walks. Come early and enjoy the forest before it gets dark.

Hours: 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday only. Price: average $13 per person. 33101 Bouquet Canyon, Saugus. (805) 296-5656.

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3. INN OF THE SEVENTH RAY

This lush Topanga hideaway caters to vegetarians--about 50% of the menu is meatless--but has something for everyone. With gourmet natural foods, a fountain courtyard (with heaters for when the temperature drops) and a creek running right by the building, the Inn fills the romantic bill. In addition to a wood-burning stove in the original A-frame building, the Inn has a room with a large, open fireplace and has recently added a plexiglass ceiling--perfect for stargazing.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and 6 to 10 p.m. for dinner daily; 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday brunch; 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday brunch. Price: for lunch, $12 (average) per person; for dinner, $25 (average) per person; for brunch, $15 (average) per person. 128 Old Topanga Canyon Road, Topanga. (310) 455-1311.

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4. SADDLE PEAK LODGE

If a romantic--and extravagant--dinner is in order, try the rustic, woodsy Saddle Peak. Although it’s called a lodge, and sports a massive stone fireplace, it’s not exactly a drop-by-after-fishing type of establishment. If there’s any doubt about how special this place is, manager Lennart Lehman says that there are marriage proposals at least once a week. “Lately they’re all saying yes, so it must be working,” he said.

Hint: If dinner is out of your price range, but you still want to check out Saddle Peak, head in for a drink at the small bar. The bar, which has about 10 seats, does not serve food, however.

Hours: 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 6 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m to 2 p.m. Sunday brunch; 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday dinner. Price: for dinner Wednesday to Sunday, average of $50 per person; for Sunday brunch, $19.95 per person. Dress code: No jeans, sweats or shorts. 419 Cold Canyon Road, Calabasas. (310) 456-7325.

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5. TRULY YOURS, TARZANA

If the small rooms, vaulted ceiling and hip art don’t provide enough ambience at this trendy eatery, check out the fireplace in the back room. (There is another fireplace in the main room, but there’s a table in front of it, so it’s only lit when the restaurant isn’t busy and someone requests it.)

And with late hours, Truly Yours can be a great place for a fireside after-dinner coffee and dessert. Try the chocolate bag for two--Belgian chocolate formed like a paper sack and filled with gelati and fresh fruit.

Hours: 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Price: average of $14 per person; desserts average about $4.95. 18588 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana. (818) 996-3131.

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6. VINCENT HILL STATION

You have your choice of fireplaces in this restaurant, decorated like an old-fashioned train station complete with antique wood tables and train cabooses out back. One fireplace is in the main dining room, there’s one in the bar area, and a small, more private room (to be completed soon) will have a wood-burning stove.

Hours: 3:30 to 10 p.m. daily. Price: average of $12 per person. 553 Sierra Highway, Acton. (805) 272-4799.

Romantic Walks

Here are some outdoor spots to take in the cooler temperatures, as recommended in “Walking Los Angeles: Adventures on the Urban Edge” by John McKinney, The Times’ hiking columnist.

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7. ORCUTT RANCH HORTICULTURE CENTER

The Rancho Sombre del Roble was once a 200-acre vacation retreat owned by William Orcutt, the geologist who found the La Brea Tar Pits. The large adobe house, gravel paths, gardens, fountains and statues make for a lush and lovely walk. Make sure to follow the trail to the creek and rose garden.

Take the Ventura Freeway to Topanga Canyon Boulevard and head north to Roscoe Boulevard. Turn west on Roscoe Boulevard. Park entrance is at 23600 Roscoe. Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed major holidays.

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8. SERRANIA RIDGE TRAIL

At the southern edge of Woodland Hills is a patch of a park with fantastic views of the Valley. Head south on the path along the eastern side of the park, toward Mulholland Highway, and enjoy the panorama.

Take the Ventura Freeway to De Soto Avenue and turn south. The street becomes Serrania Avenue after you cross Ventura Boulevard. Park is about one mile down.

Cheap Thrills

Here are two of the best places in the Valley to, well, “park.”

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9. TOPANGA CANYON BOULEVARD VISTA

There are a lot of romantic pull-offs as you head south along Topanga Canyon Boulevard, with beautiful views of the hills behind and the West Valley below. On a clear night, one of the most spectacular is the view of the Valley from the Topanga Overlook, the first turnout as you leave the Valley.

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10. MULHOLLAND DRIVE

Along the north side of the roadway, especially just east of Laurel Canyon Boulevard, are a few key areas to pull off and enjoy one of the most beautiful nighttime views of the Valley floor.