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, 2011	$ 300,439	$ 260,614	$ 9,988	$ 194,273	$ (4,756)	$ 61,109	$ 39,825
Beginning 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 exercised	0			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
Beginning Balance, value at Sep. 30, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock issued for water purchase (in shares)			251,876
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
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	5,762	5,655				5,655	107
Other comprehensive income	(3,555)	(3,555)			(3,555)
Restricted stock issuance (in shares)			94,014
Restricted stock issuance	0	0	47	(47)
Stock compensation	2,564	2,564		2,564
Shares withheld for taxes (in shares)			(20,559)
Shares withheld for taxes	(625)	(625)	(11)	(603)	(11)
Warrants exercised	0			1		(1)
Ending Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 324,333	$ 284,621	$ 10,318	$ 212,763	$ (6,899)	$ 68,439	$ 39,712
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014			20,636,478