CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME OR LOSS - UNAUDITED (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Revenues:
Sale of real estate and water assets	$ 1,441	$ 6,837	$ 4,985	$ 7,712
Sale of canola oil and meal	9,640		9,640
Net investment income	832	977	1,417	1,887
Net realized gain (loss) on sale and impairment of investments	(84)	1,539	(207)	3,426
Other	721	538	2,400	890
Total revenues	12,550	9,891	18,235	13,915
Costs and expenses:
Operating and other costs	12,615	5,961	21,503	14,832
Cost of real estate and water assets sold	1,060	5,446	3,370	5,924
Cost of canola oil and meal sold	7,762		7,762
Depreciation and amortization	427	335	832	664
Interest	1,290		2,305	146
Total costs and expenses	23,154	11,742	35,772	21,566
Loss before income taxes	(10,604)	(1,851)	(17,537)	(7,651)
Provision (benefit) for federal, foreign, and state income taxes	125	(1,284)	(1,073)	(3,663)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliate		(2,142)		(3,717)
Loss from continuing operations	(10,729)	(2,709)	(16,464)	(7,705)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(5,224)	3,762	(4,606)	5,833
Net loss	(15,953)	1,053	(21,070)	(1,872)
Noncontrolling interests		1,032
Net loss attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	(15,433)	2,085	(20,329)	(20)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on available-for-sale securities	(645)	(4,707)	894	(7,483)
Foreign currency translation	94	221	106	(475)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(551)	(4,486)	1,000	(7,958)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(16,504)	(3,433)	(20,070)	(9,830)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(520)	1,032	(741)	(1,852)
Comprehensive loss attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	$ (15,984)	$ (2,401)	$ (19,329)	$ (7,978)
Net loss per common share – basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ (0.45)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.69)	$ (0.26)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ (0.23)	$ 0.16	$ (0.20)	$ 0.26
Net income (loss) per common share	$ (0.68)	$ 0.09	$ (0.89)	$ 0.00
Weighted average shares outstanding	22,769	22,700	22,747	22,700