Earnings Per Common Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Numerator
Income from continuing operations									$ 910,633	$ 801,190	$ 536,130
Noncontrolling interests' share in continuing operations									(14,110)	(12,411)	(15,484)
Income from continuing operations applicable to HCP, Inc.									896,523	788,779	520,646
Preferred stock dividends										(17,006)	(21,130)
Participating securities' share in continuing operations									(1,734)	(3,245)	(2,459)
Income from continuing operations applicable to common shares									894,789	768,528	497,057
Discontinued operations	59,489	9,824	2,828	2,232	33,909	3,607	2,456	5,671	74,373	45,652	18,364
Noncontrolling interests' share in discontinued operations									(59)	(1,891)	(119)
Net income applicable to common shares									$ 969,103	$ 812,289	$ 515,302
Denominator
Basic weighted average common shares									455,002,000	427,047,000	398,446,000
Dilutive potential common shares									700,000	1,269,000	1,772,000
Diluted weighted average common shares									455,702,000	428,316,000	400,218,000
Basic earnings per common share
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)									$ 1.97	$ 1.80	$ 1.25
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)									$ 0.16	$ 0.10	$ 0.04
Net income applicable to common shares (in dollars per share)	$ 0.64	$ 0.51	$ 0.47	$ 0.51	$ 0.54	$ 0.46	$ 0.48	$ 0.43	$ 2.13	$ 1.90	$ 1.29
Diluted earnings per common share
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)									$ 1.97	$ 1.80	$ 1.25
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)									$ 0.16	$ 0.10	$ 0.04
Net income applicable to common shares (in dollars per share)	$ 0.64	$ 0.51	$ 0.47	$ 0.51	$ 0.53	$ 0.45	$ 0.48	$ 0.43	$ 2.13	$ 1.90	$ 1.29
Common stock options
Diluted earnings per common share
Shares of anti-dilutive securities excluded from earnings per share calculation									1,100,000	1,200,000	1,700,000
Down REIT
Diluted earnings per common share
Shares of anti-dilutive securities excluded from earnings per share calculation									6,000,000	6,000,000	6,000,000
DownREIT LLCs, non-managing member units outstanding									4,000,000	4,000,000	4,000,000