Earnings Per Common Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Numerator
Income from continuing operations	$ 223,462	$ 192,363	$ 662,308	$ 581,106
Noncontrolling interests' share in continuing operations	(3,102)	(2,935)	(9,625)	(9,070)
Income from continuing operations applicable to HCP, Inc.	220,360	189,428	652,683	572,036
Preferred stock dividends				(17,006)
Participating securities' share in continuing operations	(474)	(479)	(1,330)	(2,154)
Income from continuing operations applicable to common shares	219,886	188,949	651,353	552,876
Discontinued operations	13,396	6,680	25,059	19,476
Net income applicable to common shares	$ 233,282	$ 195,629	$ 676,412	$ 572,352
Denominator
Basic weighted average common shares	455,345,000	429,557,000	454,553,000	420,049,000
Dilutive potential common shares	733,000	1,221,000	835,000	1,355,000
Diluted weighted average common shares	456,078,000	430,778,000	455,388,000	421,404,000
Basic earnings per common share
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.48	$ 0.44	$ 1.43	$ 1.32
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.02	$ 0.06	$ 0.04
Net income applicable to common shares (in dollars per share)	$ 0.51	$ 0.46	$ 1.49	$ 1.36
Diluted earnings per common share
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.48	$ 0.44	$ 1.43	$ 1.32
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.01	$ 0.06	$ 0.04
Net income applicable to common shares (in dollars per share)	$ 0.51	$ 0.45	$ 1.49	$ 1.36
Common stock options
Diluted earnings per common share
Shares of anti-dilutive securities excluded from earnings per share calculation	900,000	500,000
Restricted Stock and Performance Restricted Stock Units
Diluted earnings per common share
Shares of anti-dilutive securities excluded from earnings per share calculation	7,500
Down REIT
Diluted earnings per common share
Shares of anti-dilutive securities excluded from earnings per share calculation	6,000,000	6,400,000
DownREIT LLCs, non-managing member units outstanding	3,900,000	4,400,000