Photopolarimetric observations in UBVRI bands and near-infrared photometric observations of the low polarization quasar 3C 273 obtained between February 1989 and May 1990 are presented. The degree of polarization remained low (below 1 percent) for most of the observing period and generally decreased toward shorter wavelengths. In early 1990, optical total flux and polarization flaring were observed, during which the degree of polarization rose up to 1.5 percent, and the strength and the character of the frequency dependence also varied with time. The optical flare coincided with the beginnings of a 90-GHz radio outburst, suggesting the same origin for both. A comparison of the existing optical polarization data with radio monitoring shows a tendency for polarization flares and dependent optical polarization events to occur in the beginnings of large radio outbursts, as predicted by the model.