Basis of Presentation (Details) Other Balance Sheet and Income Statement Items (USD $) Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Real Estate and Water Assets:
Real estate held-for-sale	$ 7,900,000		$ 6,500,000
Inventory, Raw Materials:
Raw materials inventory	6,776,000
Provision for Income Taxes:
Income tax benefit	1,673,000	1,311,000
Effective income tax rate	25.00%	49.00%
Statutory income tax rate	35.00%
Treasury Stock:
Reduction of treasury stock and paid-in capital from retirement of shares	0
Common Stock
Treasury Stock:
Retirement of PICO common stock, shares	1,207
Reduction of treasury stock and paid-in capital from retirement of shares	1,000
Treasury Stock
Treasury Stock:
Retirement of PICO common stock, shares	1,207
Reduction of treasury stock and paid-in capital from retirement of shares	$ 18,279,000
Maximum [Member]
Provision for Income Taxes:
Likelihood uncertain tax percentage will be sustained	50.00%