CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME OR LOSS - UNAUDITED (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues and other income:
Sale of real estate and water assets	$ 56,742	$ 23,766	$ 146,168	$ 86,957
Sale of canola oil and meal	41,144	55,306	124,963	139,775
Sale of software		4,402		13,649
Other income	3,869	23,312	9,380	28,419
Total revenues and other income	101,755	106,786	280,511	268,800
Cost of sales:
Cost of real estate and water assets sold	46,604	18,060	119,260	64,331
Cost of canola oil and meal sold	43,214	53,083	118,277	147,153
Cost of software sold		1,100		3,033
Total cost of sales	89,818	72,243	237,537	214,517
Expenses:
Operating and other costs	19,903	21,203	57,082	61,989
Impairment loss on real estate and water assets			2,865	1,410
Interest	1,313	1,886	4,193	5,304
Depreciation and amortization	931	608	2,236	1,906
Total costs and expenses	111,965	95,940	303,913	285,126
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliates	(10,210)	10,846	(23,402)	(16,326)
Provision (benefit) for federal, foreign, and state income taxes	(179)	3,637	(535)	2,739
Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliate	(410)	(89)	(1,569)	(89)
Net income (loss)	(10,441)	7,120	(24,436)	(19,154)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	504	1,046	3,091	4,636
Net income (loss) attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	(9,937)	8,166	(21,345)	(14,518)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	(10,441)	7,120	(24,436)	(19,154)
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of deferred income tax and reclassification adjustments	(767)	864	(337)	2,407
Foreign currency translation	247	(65)	245	(108)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(520)	799	(92)	2,299
Comprehensive income (loss)	(10,961)	7,919	(24,528)	(16,855)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	504	1,046	3,091	4,636
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	$ (10,457)	$ 8,965	$ (21,437)	$ (12,219)
Net loss per common share – basic and diluted:
Net income (loss) per common share - basic ($ per share)	$ (0.44)	$ 0.36	$ (0.94)	$ (0.64)
Weighted average shares outstanding (number of shares)	22,770	22,747	22,757	22,739
Net income (loss) per common share - diluted ($ per share)	$ (0.44)	$ 0.36	$ (0.94)	$ (0.64)
Weighted average shares outstanding (number of shares)	22,770	23,000	22,757	22,739