DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS - Results from Discontinued Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenue and other income:
Sale of real estate	$ 247,213	$ 354,368	$ 278,826
Sale of canola oil and meal			82,267
Other	506	866	173
Total revenue and other income	247,719	355,234	361,266
Cost of goods sold:
Cost of real estate sold	200,789	290,412	226,476
Cost of canola oil and meal sold			90,061
Total cost of goods sold	200,789	290,412	316,537
Impairment loss on intangible and long-lived assets	102	6,811	3,072
Interest			3,259
Selling expenses	13,784	19,774	21,596
General, administrative and other	29,631	29,554	41,111
Total expenses	244,306	346,551	385,575
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	3,413	8,683	(24,309)
Benefit (provision) for federal and state income taxes	(360)	5,216
Loss on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	(8,698)	(1,775)	(18,729)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(5,645)	12,124	(43,038)
Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,150)	(8,836)	(979)
Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	$ (6,795)	$ 3,288	$ (44,017)