Represents the area of lease extension.

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_AreaOfLeaseExtension
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	num:areaItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the area of the real estate property to be developed.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_AreaOfRealEstateToBeDeveloped
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	num:areaItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the period of real estate lease term.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_RealEstateLeaseTerm
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Area of land held.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AreaOfLand
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:areaItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Area of a real estate property.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:areaItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The charge against earnings in the period to reduce the carrying amount of real property to fair value.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391110&loc=d3e2921-110230

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ImpairmentOfRealEstate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount before accumulated depletion of real estate held for productive use, excluding land held for sale.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (e)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358313&loc=d3e6812-107765

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.13)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Land
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The value of all consideration given or received by the Entity in the significant acquisition or disposal.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SignificantAcquisitionsAndDisposalsAcquisitionCostsOrSaleProceeds
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SignificantAcquisitionsAndDisposalsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Period Type:	duration

Impairments (Details) (USD $)			3 Months Ended
Impairments (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012 Poway, CA property sqft	Sep. 30, 2012 Poway, CA property Land acre
Impairments
Area under expanded tenant relationship (in square feet)			396,000
Area of lease extension (in square feet)			281,000
Real estate lease term			10 years
Area of building to be developed (in square feet)			115,000
Land acquired (in acres)				19
Sales price of parcel				$ 19,000,000
Impairment related to parcel of land				7,900,000
Carrying value, land	$ 1,841,333,000	$ 1,833,607,000		$ 27,000,000