Basis of Presentation (Details) Real Estate and Water Assets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Real estate	$ 185,114	$ 166,220
Real estate improvements	4,182	4,464
Water and water rights	86,992	86,764
Pipeline rights and water credits	84,890	84,890
Real estate and water assets, net	$ 361,178	$ 342,338

Real estate and water assets include the cost of water rights, water in storage, real estate, including raw land and real estate being developed and any real estate improvements. Costs to develop real estate and water assets are capitalized. Water rights consist of water acquired or developed independently or in conjunction with the acquisition of real estate. Water in storage includes the direct construction costs to build a water storage site.

No definition available.

Name:	pico_RealEstateAndWaterAssetsNet
Namespace Prefix:	pico_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant