CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME OR LOSS - UNAUDITED (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
REVENUES AND OTHER INCOME:
Sale of real estate and water assets	$ 25,646	$ 11,807
Sale of canola oil and meal	34,859	39,556
Sale of software		3,650
Other income	771	1,795
Total revenues and other income	61,276	56,808
COST OF SALES:
Cost of real estate and water assets sold	21,055	8,052
Cost of canola oil and meal sold	34,174	44,662
Cost of software sold		1,301
Total cost of sales	55,229	54,015
EXPENSES:
Operating and other costs	16,854	18,117
Impairment loss on real estate and water assets	2,865
Interest	1,477	1,698
Depreciation and amortization	542	537
Total costs and expenses	76,967	74,367
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliates	(15,691)	(17,559)
Benefit for federal, foreign, and state income taxes	(265)	(784)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliate	(479)
Net loss	(15,905)	(16,775)
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,658	1,800
Net loss attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	(13,247)	(14,975)
Other Comprehensive Loss:
Net loss	(15,905)	(16,775)
Unrealized gain on securities, net of deferred income tax and reclassification adjustments	487	752
Foreign currency translation	40	236
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	527	988
Comprehensive loss	(15,378)	(15,787)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,658	1,800
Comprehensive loss attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	$ (12,720)	$ (13,987)
Net loss per common share – basic and diluted:
Net loss per common share (usd per share)	$ (0.58)	$ (0.66)
Weighted average shares outstanding	22,747	22,734