Parent Company Financial Information - Cash Flow (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$ 3,478	$ 4,002	$ 3,800	$ 4,069	$ 4,352	$ 3,429	$ 2,949	$ (1,765)	$ 15,349	$ 8,965	$ 10,841
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities:
Share-based compensation expense									1,092	993	533
Gain on extinguishment of debt									(552)
Decrease in other assets and other liabilities, net									1,838	48	1,155
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations									21,153	20,030	39,682
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Proceeds from sale of assets									1,957	3,590
Net cash used in investing activities									(155,015)	(58,001)	(149,459)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Proceeds from the exercise of options									398	453	157
Repurchases of common stock									(28)	(387)
Decrease in junior subordinated debentures									(2,550)
Dividends paid									(7,851)	(2,742)
Dividends on Series A preferred stock											(708)
Retirement of Series A preferred stock and related warrants											22,575
Stock issuance costs										(381)
Net cash provided by / (used in) financing activities									168,205	47,313	101,899
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents									34,343	9,342	(7,878)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				35,580				26,238	35,580	26,238	34,116
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	69,923				35,580				69,923	35,580	26,238
Heritage Oaks Bancorp
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income									15,349	8,965	10,841
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities:
Share-based compensation expense									294	211	133
Amortization of premium on borrowings									199	175
Gain on extinguishment of debt									(450)
Undistributed loss (income) of subsidiaries									(5,894)	180	13,365
Decrease in other assets and other liabilities, net									30	(868)	(83)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations									9,528	8,663	24,256
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Cash acquired in MISN Transaction, net										(3,928)
Proceeds from sale of assets										338
Other										(100)
Net cash used in investing activities										(3,690)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Proceeds from the exercise of options									293	453	138
Repurchases of common stock									(28)	(387)
Decrease in junior subordinated debentures									(2,550)
Dividends paid									(7,851)	(2,742)
Dividends on Series A preferred stock											(708)
Retirement of Series A preferred stock and related warrants											22,575
Stock issuance costs										(381)
Net cash provided by / (used in) financing activities									(10,136)	(3,057)	(23,145)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents									(608)	1,916	1,111
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				$ 6,642				$ 4,726	6,642	4,726	3,615
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 6,034				$ 6,642				$ 6,034	$ 6,642	$ 4,726