CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME OR LOSS - UNAUDITED (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Revenues:
Sale of real estate and water assets	$ 24,172	$ 14,444	$ 29,157	$ 22,156
Sale of canola oil and meal	42,079		51,718
Net investment income	569	667	1,986	2,554
Net realized gain (loss) on sale and impairment of investments	102	1,105	(105)	4,531
Other	444	427	2,845	1,316
Total revenues	67,366	16,643	85,601	30,557
Costs and expenses:
Operating and other costs	15,062	8,379	36,566	23,210
Impairment loss on real estate and water assets		16,224		16,224
Cost of real estate and water assets sold	17,488	9,921	20,858	15,845
Cost of canola oil and meal sold	40,193		47,955
Depreciation and amortization	1,811	409	2,643	1,073
Interest	1,546		3,850	146
Total costs and expenses	76,100	34,933	111,872	56,498
Loss before income taxes	(8,734)	(18,290)	(26,271)	(25,941)
Provision (benefit) for federal, foreign, and state income taxes	(403)	25,800	(1,500)	22,100
Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliate		(1,576)		(5,293)
Loss from continuing operations	(8,331)	(45,637)	(24,794)	(53,342)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	1,939	2,898	(2,668)	8,731
Net loss	(6,392)	(42,739)	(27,462)	(44,611)
Loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,127	(7,182)	1,869	(5,330)
Net loss attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	(5,265)	(49,921)	(25,593)	(49,941)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Unrealized depreciation on available-for-sale securities	(949)	(5,263)	(54)	(12,746)
Foreign currency translation	(400)	(1,282)	(295)	(1,756)
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(1,349)	(6,545)	(349)	(14,502)
Comprehensive loss	(7,741)	(49,284)	(27,811)	(59,113)
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,127	(7,182)	1,869	(5,330)
Comprehensive loss attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	$ (6,614)	$ (56,466)	$ (25,942)	$ (64,443)
Net loss per common share – basic and diluted:
Loss from continuing operations	$ (0.32)	$ (2.33)	$ (1.01)	$ (2.58)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ 0.09	$ 0.13	$ (0.12)	$ 0.38
Net loss per common share	$ (0.23)	$ (2.20)	$ (1.13)	$ (2.20)
Weighted average shares outstanding	22,769	22,700	22,755	22,700