Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2012	Jun. 04, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	PACIFIC SUNWEAR OF CALIFORNIA INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000874841
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Apr. 28, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-28
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		67,697,934