Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Apr. 30, 2019
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	TEJON RANCH CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000096869
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2019
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	true
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		25,949,799
Trading Symbol	TRC