Carrying value of properties contributed to joint venture.

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_CarryingValueOfPropertiesContributedToJointVenture
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt related to retirement communities or properties contributed to joint venture.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_DebtRelatedToRetirementCommunitiesOrPropertiesContributedToJointVenture
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents disclosure of the amount of the dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporation; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the amount of loss from discontinued operations reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_EquityMethodInvestmentLossFromDiscontinuedOperation
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

The negative investment carrying amount, which is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the balance sheet, for equity method investments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_EquityMethodInvestmentReportedInLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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- Definition

The carrying amount of accounts payable for unconsolidated subsidiaries and 50 percent-or-less owned entities accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAccountsPayable
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the carrying amount of capital lease obligations and mortgage debt reported by an unconsolidated subsidiaries (an equity method investment) of the reporting entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying amount of the entity's capital investment by the reporting entity for unconsolidated subsidiaries and 50 percent-or-less owned entities accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationEntityCapital
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the carrying amount of goodwill and other assets, net for unconsolidated subsidiaries and 50 percent-or-less owned entities accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationGoodwillAndOtherAssetsNet
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying amount of the equity investment by other partners for unconsolidated subsidiaries and 50 percent-or-less owned entities accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying amount of real estate, net of accumulated depreciation and valuation reserves, if any, reported by an unconsolidated subsidiaries (an equity method investment) of the reporting entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationRealEstateNet
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of continuing care retirement communities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_NumberOfRetirementCommunities
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of retirement communities contributed to joint venture.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents number of unconsolidated joint ventures between entity and an institutional capital partner.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_NumberOfUnconsolidatedJointVenture
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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the reduction of income from direct financing leases resulting from equity method investment accounting.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_ReductionOfCapitalLeasesIncomeStatementDirectFinancingLeaseRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value of retirement communities or properties contributed to joint venture.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_RetirementCommunitiesOrPropertiesContributedToJointVentureFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Difference between amount at which an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting is carried (reported) on the balance sheet and amount of underlying equity in net assets the reporting Entity has in the investee.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of assets reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(g))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

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-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (f)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14064-108612

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph bb

-Article 1

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 08

-Paragraph g

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-Article 4

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph w

-Article 1

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of liabilities and equity reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of revenue from sale of goods and services reduced by sales returns, allowances, and discounts reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 9

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.12)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 11

-Article 7

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- Definition

Total investments in (A) an entity in which the entity has significant influence, but does not have control, (B) subsidiaries that are not required to be consolidated and are accounted for using the equity and or cost method, and (C) an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group. Includes long-term advances receivable from a party that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Revenue, comprised of base and incentive revenue derived from the management of joint ventures, managing third-party properties, or another entity's operations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1(d))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the purchase of real estate held-for-investment and real estate joint ventures.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended								3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 CCRC JV	Aug. 29, 2014 CCRC JV item	Sep. 30, 2014 Life science	Sep. 30, 2013 Life science	Sep. 30, 2014 Life science	Sep. 30, 2013 Life science	Sep. 30, 2014 Medical office	Sep. 30, 2013 Medical office	Sep. 30, 2014 Medical office	Sep. 30, 2013 Medical office	Sep. 30, 2014 Brookdale Senior Living CCRC JV item	Aug. 29, 2014 Brookdale Senior Living CCRC JV item	Aug. 29, 2014 Brookdale Senior Living Senior housing CCRC JV	Sep. 30, 2014 Brookdale Senior Living CCRCJV Op Co [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Brookdale Senior Living CCRCJV Prop Co [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 CCRC JV Investment [Member] Senior housing	Sep. 30, 2014 HCR ManorCare Post-acute/skilled	Sep. 30, 2013 HCR ManorCare Post-acute/skilled	Sep. 30, 2014 HCR ManorCare Post-acute/skilled	Sep. 30, 2013 HCR ManorCare Post-acute/skilled	Sep. 30, 2014 HCP Ventures III, LLC Medical office	Sep. 30, 2014 HCP Ventures IV, LLC Hospital and medical office segments	Sep. 30, 2014 HCP Life Science Life science item	Sep. 30, 2014 HCP Life Science Life science Minimum	Sep. 30, 2014 HCP Life Science Life science Maximum	Sep. 30, 2014 Torrey Pines Science Center, LP Life science	Sep. 30, 2014 Britannia Biotech Gateway, LP Life science	Sep. 30, 2014 LASDK, LP Life science	Sep. 30, 2014 Suburban Properties, LLC Medical office	Sep. 30, 2014 Advances to unconsolidated joint ventures, net	Sep. 30, 2014 Edgewood Assisted Living Center, LLC	Sep. 30, 2014 Seminole Shores Living Center, LLC
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Number of campuses							14
Number of retirement communities contributed to joint venture							2										8
Fair value of retirement communities or properties contributed							$ 162,000,000
Carrying value of properties contributed	91,603,000		91,603,000				92,000,000											92,000,000
Debt related to retirement communities or properties contributed							569,000,000
Cash paid			467,147,000	63,878,000		370,000,000
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	647,923,000		647,923,000		196,576,000														250,000,000	210,000,000	459,916,000	76,876,000		76,876,000		6,868,000	27,560,000	70,771,000						5,716,000	216,000
Investment reported in liabilities	(1,085,000)		(1,085,000)																																	(440,000)	(645,000)
Investment ownership percentage																					49.00%	9.40%		9.40%		30.00%	20.00%		50.00%	63.00%	50.00%	55.00%	63.00%	67.00%
Number of unconsolidated joint ventures																2												3
Recharacterized DFL income to equity income																						16,000,000	15,000,000	47,000,000	47,000,000
Summarized combined financial information for unconsolidated joint ventures:
Real estate, net	5,159,092,000		5,159,092,000		3,662,450,000
Goodwill and other assets, net	5,482,542,000		5,482,542,000		5,384,553,000
Total assets	10,641,634,000		10,641,634,000		9,047,003,000
Capital lease obligations and mortgage debt	7,221,580,000		7,221,580,000		6,768,815,000
Accounts payable	1,103,072,000		1,103,072,000		1,045,260,000
Other partners' capital	1,648,992,000		1,648,992,000		1,098,228,000
HCP's capital	667,990,000		667,990,000		134,700,000
Total liabilities and partners' capital	10,641,634,000		10,641,634,000		9,047,003,000
Combined basis difference	21,000,000		21,000,000
Total revenues	1,087,010,000	1,046,789,000	3,224,839,000	3,182,052,000
Loss from discontinued operations	3,600,000	(2,600,000)	(2,000,000)	(8,300,000)
Net (loss) income	(702,000)	2,538,000	(4,826,000)	23,032,000
HCP's share of earnings	10,168,000	13,892,000	39,388,000	44,278,000
Investment management fee income	447,000	464,000	1,340,000	1,406,000				1,000	1,000	3,000	3,000	446,000	463,000	1,337,000	1,403,000
Distributions received by HCP	$ 2,113,000	$ 1,390,000	$ 5,881,000	$ 3,918,000