CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME OR LOSS - UNAUDITED (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Revenues:
Sale of real estate and water assets	$ 11,807	$ 3,544
Sale of canola oil and meal	39,556
Sale of software	3,650
Other income	1,795	2,141
Total revenues and other income	56,808	5,685
COST OF SALES:
Cost of real estate and water assets sold	8,052	2,310
Cost of canola oil and meal sold	40,605
Cost of software sold	1,301
Total cost of sales	49,958	2,310
EXPENSES:
Operating and other costs	20,178	8,889
Interest	1,698	1,014
Depreciation and amortization	2,533	405
Total costs and expenses	74,367	12,618
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(17,559)	(6,933)
Benefit for federal, foreign, and state income taxes	(784)	(1,198)
Loss from continuing operations	(16,775)	(5,735)
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		617
Net loss	(16,775)	(5,118)
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,800	222
Net loss attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	(14,975)	(4,896)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized appreciation on available-for-sale securities	752	1,540
Foreign currency translation	236	11
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	988	1,551
Comprehensive loss	(15,787)	(3,567)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,800	222
Comprehensive loss attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	$ (13,987)	$ (3,345)
Net loss per common share – basic and diluted:
Loss from continuing operations (in USD per share)	$ (0.66)	$ (0.24)
Income from discontinued operations (in USD per share)		$ 0.02
Net loss per common share (in USD per share)	$ (0.66)	$ (0.22)
Weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	22,734	22,723