Cover - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Oct. 27, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-36478
Entity Registrant Name	California Resources Corp
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	46-5670947
Entity Address, Address Line One	27200 Tourney Road, Suite 200
Entity Address, City or Town	Santa Clarita
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	91355
City Area Code	888
Local Phone Number	848-4754
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	CRC
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Bankruptcy Proceedings, Reporting Current	true
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		83,319,721
Entity Central Index Key	0001609253
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false