Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 206,004,000		$ 206,004,000		$ 212,213,000
Investment reported in liabilities	(1,126,000)		(1,126,000)
Summarized combined financial information for unconsolidated joint ventures:
Real estate, net	3,676,367,000		3,676,367,000		3,731,740,000
Goodwill and other assets, net	5,802,930,000		5,802,930,000		5,734,318,000
Total assets	9,479,297,000		9,479,297,000		9,466,058,000
Capital lease obligations and mortgage debt	6,782,574,000		6,782,574,000		6,875,932,000
Accounts payable	1,060,153,000		1,060,153,000		971,095,000
Other partners' capital	1,452,308,000		1,452,308,000		1,435,885,000
HCP's capital	184,262,000		184,262,000		183,146,000
Total liabilities and partners' capital	9,479,297,000		9,479,297,000		9,466,058,000
Combined basis difference	20,000,000		20,000,000
Total revenues	1,055,889,000	1,057,567,000	3,208,752,000	3,196,086,000
Net income (loss)	1,739,000	(8,851,000)	22,232,000	8,416,000
HCP's share in earnings	13,892,000	13,396,000	44,278,000	42,803,000
Fees earned by HCP	464,000	460,000	1,406,000	1,423,000
Distributions received by HCP	1,390,000	1,419,000	3,918,000	4,826,000
HCR ManorCare | Operating segment | Post-acute/skilled
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	85,777,000		85,777,000
Investment ownership percentage	9.50%		9.50%
Reduction in DFL income	15,400,000	14,900,000	46,600,000	44,400,000
HCP Ventures III, LLC | Operating segment | Medical office
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Number of properties	13		13
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	7,251,000		7,251,000
Investment ownership percentage	30.00%		30.00%
HCP Ventures IV, LLC | Operating segment | Hospital and medical office segments
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	30,420,000		30,420,000
Investment ownership percentage	20.00%		20.00%
HCP Ventures IV, LLC | Operating segment | Medical office
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Number of properties	54		54
HCP Ventures IV, LLC | Operating segment | Hospital
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Number of properties	4		4
HCP Life Science | Operating segment | Life science
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Number of properties	4		4
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	68,992,000		68,992,000
Number of unconsolidated joint ventures			3
HCP Life Science | Operating segment | Life science | Minimum
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investment ownership percentage	50.00%		50.00%
HCP Life Science | Operating segment | Life science | Maximum
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investment ownership percentage	63.00%		63.00%
Torrey Pines Science Center, LP | Operating segment | Life science
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investment ownership percentage	50.00%		50.00%
Britannia Biotech Gateway, LP | Operating segment | Life science
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investment ownership percentage	55.00%		55.00%
LASDK, LP | Operating segment | Life science
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investment ownership percentage	63.00%		63.00%
Horizon Bay Hyde Park, LLC | Operating segment | Senior housing
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Number of properties	1		1
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	6,725,000		6,725,000
Investment ownership percentage	72.00%		72.00%
Suburban Properties, LLC | Operating segment | Medical office
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Number of properties	1		1
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	6,666,000		6,666,000
Investment ownership percentage	67.00%		67.00%
Advances to unconsolidated joint ventures, net
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	173,000		173,000
Edgewood Assisted Living Center, LLC | Operating segment | Senior housing
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Number of properties	1		1
Investment reported in liabilities	(429,000)		(429,000)
Investment ownership percentage	45.00%		45.00%
Seminole Shores Living Center, LLC | Operating segment | Senior housing
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Number of properties	1		1
Investment reported in liabilities	$ (697,000)		$ (697,000)
Investment ownership percentage	50.00%		50.00%