Comprehensive Loss (Details) Fair Value Measurements (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis
Available-for-sale securities	$ 88,292,000			$ 88,292,000
Deferred compensation	35,794,000			35,794,000			37,879,000
Carrying value of Fish Springs asset	352,861,000			352,861,000			355,570,000
Impairment loss on real estate and water assets	16,224,000			16,224,000
Fish Springs assets | Non-recurring fair value measurement | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis
Fair value of Fish Springs asset	84,900,000	[1]		84,900,000	[1]
Fish Springs assets
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis
Carrying value of Fish Springs asset	101,113,979			101,113,979
Fair value of Fish Springs asset	84,889,953			84,889,953
Impairment loss on real estate and water assets	16,224,000	[1]
OTC BULLETIN BOARD
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis
Available-for-sale securities	29,771,988			29,771,988			151,420,000
Deferred compensation							37,879,000
OTC BULLETIN BOARD | Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis
Available-for-sale securities							132,677,000	[2]
Deferred compensation							37,879,000	[3]
OTC BULLETIN BOARD | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis
Available-for-sale securities	19,134,000	[2]		19,134,000	[2]		18,743,000	[2]
Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis
Available-for-sale securities	69,158,000	[2]		69,158,000	[2]
Deferred compensation	$ 35,794,000	[3]		$ 35,794,000	[3]

[1] As of September 30, 2011, the Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement for an intangible asset with a carrying amount of $101.1 million that was written down to its implied fair value of $84.9 million, resulting in an impairment charge of $16.2 million, which was included in earnings for 2011. The implied fair value was calculated using a discounted cash flow model that incorporated a wide range of assumptions including current asset pricing, price escalation, discount rates, absorption rates, and timing of sales, and costs. Given the continued dramatic and prolonged slow-down in housing starts and sales in the North Valleys of Reno, Nevada, and the recent decline in market prices for similar assets, the Company adjusted its assumptions and judgments in the model by reducing the price, lengthening the timing of absorption of water sales from the original projections.

[2] Where there are quoted market prices that are readily available in an active market, securities are classified as Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 available-for-sale investments are valued using quoted market prices multiplied by the number of shares owned and debt securities are valued using a market quote in an active market. All Level 2 available-for-sale securities are one class because they all contain similar risks and are valued using market prices and include securities where the markets are not active, that is where there are few transactions, or the prices are not current or the prices vary considerably over time. Inputs include directly or indirectly observable inputs such as quoted prices. Level 3 available-for-sale securities would include securities where valuation is based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

[3] Deferred compensation plans are compensation plans directed by the Company and structured as a Rabbi Trust for certain executives and non-employee directors. The investment assets of the Rabbi Trust are valued using quoted market prices multiplied by the number of shares held in each trust account including the shares of PICO common stock held in the trusts. The related deferred compensation liability represents the fair value of the investment assets.