Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 18,172	$ 22,929
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	48,392	49,204
Amortization of deferred financing costs and mortgage premiums, net	1,055	1,033
Straight-line rent adjustment	(230)	(1,726)
Amortization of above and below market rent	(8,000)	(9,938)
Amortization relating to stock based compensation	4,024	3,890
Provisions for tenant credit losses	6,611	1,274
Other noncash interest expense	146	377
Gain on sale of real estate	0	(2,818)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Tenant and other receivables	(13,480)	2,060
Prepaid expenses	1,527	2,673
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(4,060)	(1,037)
Other assets and liabilities, net	(5,191)	(5,540)
Net cash provided by operating activities	48,966	62,381
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sale of real estate	0	16,305
Improvements to properties	(19,536)	(18,863)
Proceeds on repayment of mortgage note receivable	8,000	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(11,536)	(2,558)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Principal repayments on mortgages	(284)	(273)
Proceeds from draws on credit facility	160,000	43,000
Payments on credit facility	(10,500)	(48,000)
Redemption of OP Units	(1,999)	(1,246)
Distributions to OP Unitholders	(2,187)	(4,494)
Deferred financing and other costs	(5)	0
Repurchase of common stock	(8,846)	0
Registration expenditures	(339)	(65)
Dividends paid to common shareholders	(23,398)	(45,166)
Shares withheld for employee taxes	(2,272)	(1,986)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	110,170	(58,230)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	147,600	1,593
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	5,458	7,449
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	153,058	9,042
Other non-cash investing and financing activities increase (decrease):
Interest rate swap asset	0	(4,931)
Interest rate swap liabilities	8,600	3,335
Accrued real estate improvement costs	2,885	2,888
Equity Redemption of OP Units	15,211
Disposition of real estate through issuance of mortgage note	0	13,250
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	151,372	7,488
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Statements of Cash Flows	153,058	9,042
Retail Opportunity Investments Partnership L.P.
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	18,172	22,929
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	48,392	49,204
Amortization of deferred financing costs and mortgage premiums, net	1,055	1,033
Straight-line rent adjustment	(230)	(1,726)
Amortization of above and below market rent	(8,000)	(9,938)
Amortization relating to stock based compensation	4,024	3,890
Provisions for tenant credit losses	6,611	1,274
Other noncash interest expense	146	377
Gain on sale of real estate	0	(2,818)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Tenant and other receivables	(13,480)	2,060
Prepaid expenses	1,527	2,673
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(4,060)	(1,037)
Other assets and liabilities, net	(5,191)	(5,540)
Net cash provided by operating activities	48,966	62,381
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sale of real estate	0	16,305
Improvements to properties	(19,536)	(18,863)
Proceeds on repayment of mortgage note receivable	8,000	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(11,536)	(2,558)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Principal repayments on mortgages	(284)	(273)
Proceeds from draws on credit facility	160,000	43,000
Payments on credit facility	(10,500)	(48,000)
Redemption of OP Units	(1,999)	(1,246)
Distributions to OP Unitholders	(25,585)	(49,660)
Deferred financing and other costs	(5)	0
Registration expenditures	(339)	(65)
Shares withheld for employee taxes	(2,272)	(1,986)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	110,170	(58,230)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	147,600	1,593
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	5,458	7,449
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	153,058	9,042
Other non-cash investing and financing activities increase (decrease):
Interest rate swap asset	0	(4,931)
Interest rate swap liabilities	8,600	3,335
Accrued real estate improvement costs	2,885	2,888
Equity Redemption of OP Units	15,211
Disposition of real estate through issuance of mortgage note	0	13,250
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	151,372	7,488
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Statements of Cash Flows	$ 153,058	$ 9,042