Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended						3 Months Ended		6 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	Dec. 31, 2013 Senior housing	Dec. 31, 2012 Senior housing	Dec. 31, 2011 Senior housing	Mar. 31, 2013 Blackstone JV Senior housing item	Dec. 31, 2012 Blackstone JV Senior housing item	Mar. 31, 2013 Blackstone JV Senior housing item
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
Total revenues	$ 530,297	$ 546,158	$ 512,239	$ 511,184	$ 503,233	$ 469,999	$ 456,130	$ 450,608	$ 2,099,878	$ 1,879,970	$ 1,694,418	$ 760,415	$ 624,135	$ 518,590
Income before income taxes and equity income from and impairments of investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	220,256	214,176	199,916	217,667	200,210	181,457	186,931	176,483	852,015	745,081	490,681
Total discontinued operations	59,489	9,824	2,828	2,232	33,909	3,607	2,456	5,671	74,373	45,652	18,364
Net income	297,639	236,858	216,725	233,784	246,260	199,043	204,975	196,564	985,006	846,842	554,494
Net income applicable to HCP, Inc.	$ 293,095	$ 233,756	$ 213,401	$ 230,585	$ 241,028	$ 196,108	$ 202,024	$ 193,380	$ 970,837	$ 832,540	$ 538,891
Dividends paid per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.525	$ 0.525	$ 0.525	$ 0.525	$ 0.50	$ 0.50	$ 0.50	$ 0.50
Basic earnings per common share (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 (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
Equity method investment, impairment details
Number of senior housing communities															4	129	133