Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	UNIONBANCAL CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0001011659
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float	$ 0
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		136,330,830