Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Total Tejon Ranch Co.'s Stockholders Equity	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings	Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 276,652	$ 236,714	$ 9,874	$ 183,816	$ (2,191)	$ 45,215	$ 39,938
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010			19,747,470
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	15,781	15,894				15,894	(113)
Other comprehensive income	(2,565)	(2,565)			(2,565)
Rights offering, net of expenses (in shares)			0
Rights offering, net of expenses	0	0	0	0
Exercise of stock options (in shares)			205,165
Exercise of stock options and related tax benefit of $3 in 2013, $8 in 2012 and $634 in 2011	5,876	5,876	103	5,773
Restricted stock issuance (in shares)			52,069
Restricted stock issuance	0	0	26	(26)
Stock compensation	5,507	5,507		5,507
Shares withheld for taxes (in shares)			(28,998)
Shares withheld for taxes	(812)	(812)	(15)	(797)
Ending Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2011	300,439	260,614	9,988	194,273	(4,756)	61,109	39,825
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011			19,975,706
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	4,283	4,441				4,441	(158)
Other comprehensive income	(362)	(362)			(362)
Exercise of stock options (in shares)			13,641
Exercise of stock options and related tax benefit of $3 in 2013, $8 in 2012 and $634 in 2011	370	370	7	363
Restricted stock issuance (in shares)			179,172
Restricted stock issuance	0	0	89	(89)
Stock compensation	5,832	5,832		5,832
Shares withheld for taxes (in shares)			(82,654)
Shares withheld for taxes	(2,303)	(2,303)	(41)	(2,262)
Ending Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2012	308,259	268,592	10,043	198,117	(5,118)	65,550	39,667
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012			20,085,865
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	4,103	4,165				4,165	(62)
Other comprehensive income	1,785	1,785			1,785
Exercise of stock options (in shares)			7,567
Exercise of stock options and related tax benefit of $3 in 2013, $8 in 2012 and $634 in 2011	211	211	4	207
Restricted stock issuance (in shares)			391,555
Restricted stock issuance	0	0	196	(196)
Common stock issued for water purchase (in shares)			251,876
Common stock issued for water purchase	9,370	9,370	126	9,244
Stock compensation	1,223	1,223		1,223
Shares withheld for taxes (in shares)			(173,840)
Shares withheld for taxes	(4,764)	(4,764)	(87)	(4,677)
Warrants issued as dividends (3,000,000 warrants)				6,930		(6,930)
Ending Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 320,187	$ 280,582	$ 10,282	$ 210,848	$ (3,333)	$ 62,785	$ 39,605
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013			20,563,023