CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME OR LOSS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
REVENUES AND OTHER INCOME:
Sale of real estate and water assets	$ 59,020	$ 55,679	$ 4,637
Sale of canola oil and meal	85,255
Other income	5,806	9,160	16,909
Total revenues and other income	150,081	64,839	21,546
COST OF SALES:
Cost of real estate and water assets sold	42,142	36,851	2,515
Cost of canola oil and meal sold	77,549
Total cost of sales	119,691	36,851	2,515
EXPENSES:
Operating and other costs	50,661	39,650	34,663
Impairment loss on real estate and water assets		21,404	10,316
Interest	4,153	146	1,356
Depreciation and amortization	5,154	1,445	1,351
Total costs and expenses	179,659	99,496	50,201
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliate	(29,578)	(34,657)	(28,655)
Provision (benefit) for federal, foreign, and state income taxes	(1,069)	22,151	(12,518)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliate		(5,293)	(3,717)
Loss from continuing operations	(28,509)	(62,101)	(19,854)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(3,143)	12,299	5,782
Net loss	(31,652)	(49,802)	(14,072)
Net loss attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	2,579	(4,740)	2,900
Net loss attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	(29,073)	(54,542)	(11,172)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Unrealized depreciation on available-for-sale securities	(226)	(15,427)	(5,744)
Foreign currency translation	(829)	(859)	(23)
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(1,055)	(16,286)	(5,767)
Comprehensive loss	(32,707)	(66,088)	(19,839)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,579	(4,740)	2,900
Comprehensive loss attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	$ (30,128)	$ (70,828)	$ (16,939)
Net loss per common share – basic and diluted:
Loss from continuing operations	$ (1.14)	$ (2.95)	$ (0.75)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ (0.14)	$ 0.54	$ 0.26
Net loss per common share	$ (1.28)	$ (2.41)	$ (0.49)
Weighted average shares outstanding	22,755	22,670	22,653