Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings	Total Tejon Ranch Co.'s Stockholders Equity	Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning Balance, Value at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 276,652	$ 9,874	$ 183,816	$ (2,191)	$ 45,215	$ 236,714	$ 39,938
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010		19,747,470
Net income	15,781				15,894	15,894	(113)
Changes in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of taxes	(49)			(49)		(49)
Benefit plan adjustment net of taxes of $1,026	(1,548)			(1,548)		(1,548)
SERP liability adjustment, net of taxes of $727	(1,098)			(1,098)		(1,098)
Equity in other comprehensive income of unconsolidated joint ventures, net of taxes	130			130		130
Exercise of stock options (shares)		205,165
Exercise of stock options and related tax benefit of $8 in 2012 and $634 in 2011	5,876	103	5,773			5,876
Restricted stock issuance (in shares)		52,069
Restricted stock issuance	0	26	(26)			0
Stock compensation	(5,507)		(5,507)			(5,507)
Shares withheld for taxes		28,998
Shares withheld for taxes	812	15	797			812
Ending Balance, Value at Dec. 31, 2011	300,439	9,988	194,273	(4,756)	61,109	260,614	39,825
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		19,975,706
Net income	4,295				4,414	4,414
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest							(119)
Changes in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of taxes	207			207		207
Equity in other comprehensive income of unconsolidated joint ventures, net of taxes	91			91		91
Exercise of stock options (shares)	13,641	13,641
Exercise of stock options and related tax benefit of $8 in 2012 and $634 in 2011	362	7	355			362
Receivable from Employees for Issuance of Stock Options	(204)	(4)	(200)			(204)
Restricted stock issuance (in shares)		174,215
Restricted stock issuance	0	87	(87)			0
Stock compensation	(4,465)		(4,465)			(4,465)
Shares withheld for taxes		(81,405)
Shares withheld for taxes	(2,270)	(41)	(2,229)			(2,270)
Ending Balance, Value at Sep. 30, 2012	$ 307,385	$ 10,037	$ 196,577	$ (4,458)	$ 65,523	$ 267,679	$ 39,706
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2012		20,082,157