Represents the number of properties sold during the period, not categorized as discontinued operations.

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_DispositionOfPropertiesSoldNumber
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total consideration, cash and noncash, received by seller for the sale of real estate.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_TotalConsiderationForDispositionOfRealEstate
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The charge against earnings in the period to reduce the carrying amount of real property to fair value.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391110&loc=d3e2921-110230

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ImpairmentOfRealEstate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of investments in building and building improvements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(d))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentBuildingAndBuildingImprovements
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount before accumulated depletion of real estate held for productive use, excluding land held for sale.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (e)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358313&loc=d3e6812-107765

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.13)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Land
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentImpairmentOrDisposalAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=hcp_LifescienceMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=hcp_MedicalOfficeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Impairments - Real Estate (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Impairments - Real Estate (Details) (USD $)	Jan. 01, 2015 property	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013 item
Property impairments
Number of properties disposed	8hcp_DispositionOfPropertiesSoldNumber
Real estate impairment charges		$ 7,878,000us-gaap_ImpairmentOfRealEstate
Carrying value of aggregate investments			10,972,973,000	10,544,110,000
Total consideration for disposition of real estate	51,000,000
Carrying value, land			1,889,438,000us-gaap_Land	1,822,862,000us-gaap_Land
Medical office
Property impairments
Number of properties disposed				2
Real estate impairment charges				1,000,000
Carrying value of aggregate investments				7,000,000
Total consideration for disposition of real estate			145,000	6,000,000
Life science
Property impairments
Real estate impairment charges		8,000,000
Total consideration for disposition of real estate		18,000,000
Carrying value, land		$ 26,000,000