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, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues and other income:
Sale of real estate and water assets	$ 43,610	$ 25,646
Sale of canola oil and meal	39,432	34,859
Other income	1,608	771
Total revenues and other income	84,650	61,276
Cost of sales:
Cost of real estate and water assets sold	36,333	21,055
Cost of canola oil and meal sold	42,893	34,174
Total cost of sales	79,226	55,229
Expenses:
Operating and other costs	20,049	16,854
Impairment loss on intangible and long-lived assets	2,964	2,865
Interest	1,439	1,477
Depreciation and amortization	537	542
Total costs and expenses	104,215	76,967
Loss before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliates	(19,565)	(15,691)
Benefit for federal, foreign, and state income taxes	(239)	(265)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliate	(483)	(479)
Net loss	(19,809)	(15,905)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,984	2,658
Net loss attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	(16,825)	(13,247)
Other comprehensive loss:
Net loss	(19,809)	(15,905)
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of deferred income tax and reclassification adjustments	(51)	487
Foreign currency translation	9	40
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(42)	527
Comprehensive loss	(19,851)	(15,378)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,984	2,658
Comprehensive loss attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	$ (16,867)	$ (12,720)
Net loss per common share – basic and diluted:
Net income (loss) per common share - basic ($ per share)	$ (0.73)	$ (0.58)
Weighted average shares outstanding (number of shares)	23,005	22,747