Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings	Total Tejon Ranch Co.'s Stockholders Equity	Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning Balance, Value at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 300,439	$ 9,988	$ 194,273	$ (4,756)	$ 61,109	$ 260,614	$ 39,825
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		19,975,706
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	4,283				4,441	4,441	(158)
Other comprehensive income	(362)			(362)		(362)
Exercise of stock options (shares)		13,641
Exercise of stock options and related tax benefit of $3 as of March 31, 2013 and $8 as of December 31, 2012	370	7	363			370
Restricted stock issuance (in shares)		179,172
Restricted stock issuance	0	89	(89)			0
Stock compensation	5,832		5,832			5,832
Shares withheld for taxes		(82,654)
Shares withheld for taxes	(2,303)	(41)	(2,262)			(2,303)
Ending Balance, Value at Dec. 31, 2012	308,259	10,043	198,117	(5,118)	65,550	268,592	39,667
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		20,085,865
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	630				615	615	15
Other comprehensive income	(26)			(26)		(26)
Exercise of stock options (shares)		7,567
Exercise of stock options and related tax benefit of $3 as of March 31, 2013 and $8 as of December 31, 2012	211	4	207			211
Restricted stock issuance (in shares)		66,722
Restricted stock issuance	0	33	(33)			0
Stock compensation	760		760			760
Shares withheld for taxes		(28,309)
Shares withheld for taxes	(845)	(14)	(831)			(845)
Ending Balance, Value at Mar. 31, 2013	$ 308,989	$ 10,066	$ 198,220	$ (5,144)	$ 66,165	$ 269,307	$ 39,682
Ending Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2013		20,131,845