Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 25,141	$ 42,557
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	73,041	73,367
Amortization of deferred financing costs and mortgage premiums, net	1,623	1,553
Straight-line rent adjustment	(563)	(2,650)
Amortization of above and below market rent	(10,756)	(13,025)
Amortization relating to stock based compensation	6,365	6,124
Provisions for tenant credit losses	8,808	1,654
Other noncash interest expense	220	450
Gain on sale of real estate	0	(13,175)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Tenant and other receivables	(18,718)	848
Prepaid expenses	1,885	2,950
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	11,807	12,912
Other assets and liabilities, net	(5,927)	(2,330)
Net cash provided by operating activities	92,926	111,235
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sale of real estate	0	45,388
Improvements to properties	(24,839)	(28,072)
Proceeds on repayment of mortgage note receivable	8,020	0
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(16,819)	17,316
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Principal repayments on mortgages	(429)	(410)
Proceeds from draws on credit facility	160,000	51,000
Payments on credit facility	(140,500)	(115,000)
Redemption of OP Units	(1,999)	(3,028)
Distributions to OP Unitholders	(2,187)	(6,722)
Deferred financing and other costs	(1,130)	0
Proceeds from the sale of common stock	0	16,351
Repurchase of common stock	(8,846)	0
Registration expenditures	(356)	(272)
Dividends paid to common shareholders	(23,398)	(67,804)
Common shares issued under the Equity Incentive Plan	0	512
Shares withheld for employee taxes	(2,272)	(1,986)
Net cash used in financing activities	(21,117)	(127,359)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	54,990	1,192
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	5,458	7,449
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	60,448	8,641
Other non-cash investing and financing activities increase (decrease):
Interest rate swap asset	0	(4,931)
Interest rate swap liabilities	7,112	4,729
Accrued real estate improvement costs	3,478	1,276
Equity Redemption of OP Units	18,287	1,472
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	58,458	6,608
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Statements of Cash Flows	60,448	8,641
Retail Opportunity Investments Partnership L.P.
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	25,141	42,557
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	73,041	73,367
Amortization of deferred financing costs and mortgage premiums, net	1,623	1,553
Straight-line rent adjustment	(563)	(2,650)
Amortization of above and below market rent	(10,756)	(13,025)
Amortization relating to stock based compensation	6,365	6,124
Provisions for tenant credit losses	8,808	1,654
Other noncash interest expense	220	450
Gain on sale of real estate	0	(13,175)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Tenant and other receivables	(18,718)	848
Prepaid expenses	1,885	2,950
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	11,807	12,912
Other assets and liabilities, net	(5,927)	(2,330)
Net cash provided by operating activities	92,926	111,235
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sale of real estate	0	45,388
Improvements to properties	(24,839)	(28,072)
Proceeds on repayment of mortgage note receivable	8,020	0
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(16,819)	17,316
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Principal repayments on mortgages	(429)	(410)
Proceeds from draws on credit facility	160,000	51,000
Payments on credit facility	(140,500)	(115,000)
Redemption of OP Units	(1,999)	(3,028)
Distributions to OP Unitholders	(25,585)	(74,526)
Deferred financing and other costs	(1,130)	0
Proceeds from the sale of common stock	0	16,351
Registration expenditures	(356)	(272)
Common shares issued under the Equity Incentive Plan	0	512
Shares withheld for employee taxes	(2,272)	(1,986)
Net cash used in financing activities	(21,117)	(127,359)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	54,990	1,192
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	5,458	7,449
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	60,448	8,641
Other non-cash investing and financing activities increase (decrease):
Interest rate swap asset	0	(4,931)
Interest rate swap liabilities	7,112	4,729
Accrued real estate improvement costs	3,478	1,276
Equity Redemption of OP Units	18,287	1,472
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	58,458	6,608
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Statements of Cash Flows	$ 60,448	$ 8,641