CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME OR LOSS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
REVENUES AND OTHER INCOME:
Sale of real estate and water assets	$ 192,368	$ 116,776	$ 59,020
Sale of canola oil and meal	163,855	184,139	85,255
Sale of software		13,649
Other income (loss), net	(1,327)	30,265	5,806
Total revenues and other income	354,896	344,829	150,081
COST OF SALES:
Cost of real estate and water assets sold	158,200	87,457	42,142
Cost of canola oil and meal sold	156,668	190,700	84,831
Cost of software sold		3,033
Total cost of sales	314,868	281,190	126,973
EXPENSES:
Operating and other costs	78,990	78,015	46,566
Impairment loss on intangible and long-lived assets	13,084	1,410
Interest	5,764	6,881	4,153
Depreciation and amortization	3,233	2,765	1,967
Total costs and expenses	415,939	370,261	179,659
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliates	(61,043)	(25,432)	(29,578)
Provision (benefit) for federal, foreign, and state income taxes	(3,514)	3,197	(1,069)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliate	(2,076)	(565)
Loss from continuing operations	(59,605)	(29,194)	(28,509)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes			(3,143)
Net loss	(59,605)	(29,194)	(31,652)
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	7,180	6,896	2,579
Net loss attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	(52,425)	(22,298)	(29,073)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of deferred income tax and reclassification adjustments	(2,093)	2,411	(226)
Foreign currency translation	6,578	(165)	(829)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	4,485	2,246	(1,055)
Comprehensive loss	(55,120)	(26,948)	(32,707)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	7,180	6,896	2,579
Comprehensive loss attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	$ (47,940)	$ (20,052)	$ (30,128)
Net loss per common share – basic and diluted:
Loss from continuing operations (USD per share)	$ (2.30)	$ (0.98)	$ (1.14)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (USD per share)			$ (0.14)
Net loss per common share (in dollars per share)	$ (2.30)	$ (0.98)	$ (1.28)
Weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	22,802	22,742	22,755