Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Noncontrolling Interest	Total Tejon Ranch Co.'s Stockholders Equity	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings
Beginning Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 214,381	$ 40,154	$ 174,227	$ 8,509	$ 126,829	$ (2,151)	$ 41,040
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2009				17,019,428
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	3,959	(216)	4,175				4,175
Other comprehensive income	(40)		(40)			(40)
Rights offering, net of expenses (in shares)				2,608,735
Rights offering, net of expenses	59,760		59,760	1,306	58,454
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	78,894			78,894
Exercise of stock options and related tax benefit of $8 in 2012, $634 in 2011 and $204 in 2010	1,999		1,999	39	1,960
Restricted stock issuance (in shares)				56,131
Restricted stock issuance	0		0	28	(28)
Stock compensation	(2,944)		(2,944)		(2,944)
Shares withheld for taxes (in shares)				(15,718)
Shares withheld for taxes	(463)		(463)	(8)	(455)
Ending Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2010	276,652	39,938	236,714	9,874	183,816	(2,191)	45,215
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010				19,747,470
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	15,781	(113)	15,894				15,894
Other comprehensive income	(2,565)		(2,565)			(2,565)
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	205,165			205,165
Exercise of stock options and related tax benefit of $8 in 2012, $634 in 2011 and $204 in 2010	5,876		5,876	103	5,773
Restricted stock issuance (in shares)				52,069
Restricted stock issuance	0		0	26	(26)
Stock compensation	5,507		5,507		5,507
Shares withheld for taxes (in shares)				(28,998)
Shares withheld for taxes	(812)		(812)	(15)	(797)
Ending Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2011	300,439	39,825	260,614	9,988	194,273	(4,756)	61,109
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011				19,975,706
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	4,283	(158)	4,441				4,441
Other comprehensive income	(362)		(362)			(362)
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	13,641			13,641
Exercise of stock options and related tax benefit of $8 in 2012, $634 in 2011 and $204 in 2010	370		370	7	363
Restricted stock issuance (in shares)				179,172
Restricted stock issuance	0		0	89	(89)
Stock compensation	5,832		5,832		5,832
Shares withheld for taxes (in shares)				(82,654)
Shares withheld for taxes	(2,303)		(2,303)	(41)	(2,262)
Ending Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 308,259	$ 39,667	$ 268,592	$ 10,043	$ 198,117	$ (5,118)	$ 65,550
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012				20,085,865