HCR ManorCare Acquisition (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011 D	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Apr. 07, 2011 item
Total purchase price consideration
Payment of aggregate cash consideration, net of cash acquired			$ 10,970,000	$ 113,790,000	$ 10,970,000	$ 113,790,000
HCP's loan investment in HCR ManorCare's debt settled at fair value				1,990,406,000		1,990,406,000
HCR ManorCare
Acquisition
Number of post-acute, skilled nursing and assisted living facilities acquired							334
Number of states where acquired post-acute, skilled nursing and assisted living facilities are located							30
Amount paid for additional equity interest acquired through exercise of option							95,000,000
Percentage of additional interest acquired through exercise of option							9.90%
Total purchase price consideration
Payment of aggregate cash consideration, net of cash acquired							3,801,624,000
HCP's loan investment in HCR ManorCare's debt settled at fair value							1,990,406,000
Assumed HCR ManorCare accrued liabilities at fair value							224,932,000
Total purchase consideration							6,016,962,000
Legal, accounting and other fees and costs							26,839,000
Gain on settlement of loan investments	23,000,000
Cost of transaction classified as general and administrative expense							15,500,000
Cost of transaction classified as interest expense							11,300,000
Assets acquired
Net investments in direct financing leases							6,002,074,000
Cash and cash equivalents							6,996,000
Intangible assets, net							14,888,000
Total assets acquired							6,023,958,000
Total liabilities assumed							224,932,000
Net assets acquired							5,799,026,000
Length of bridge loan facility term (in days)		365
Bridge loan commitments obtained from a syndicate of banks		3,300,000,000
Total revenues			143,000,000	130,000,000	285,000,000	130,000,000
Net income (loss)			158,000,000	145,000,000	313,000,000	145,000,000
Unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations
Revenues				472,186,000		911,959,000
Net income				219,335,000		409,372,000
Net income applicable to HCP, Inc.				$ 213,842,000		$ 399,988,000
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)				$ 0.51		$ 0.96
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)				$ 0.51		$ 0.96