4 layer pcb stackup
The placement of planes is determined by which arrangement will give you the shortest return path for the signal. You have remember that a signal path is not one sided - it is a loop. In general, the smaller the signal loop, the less crosstalk and noise coupling there will be.
You are correct that, in general, placing a continuous ground plane closest to the more dense signal routing layer will provide the best oveall results. In a properly bypassed board, the power plane can also act as a return layer - but the ground plane is generally the preferred return layer.
Recalling what I said in the first paragraph, the best signal routing is the most direct path - including the most direct return path. Routing through IC pins often gives the most direct signal path - provided the return path (on a plane) is free to follow directly under the signal trace. This is because the path of least inductance for the signal is for the return current to flow on the copper layer directly under the signal trace. If, for some reason, the ground plane cannot be continuous under the signal trace, then the signal trace should be routed such that it has the most direct path over the continuous ground copper. That way, the return current doesn't create a loop through the return path(s) of other signals. Such a loop acts as a coupler from one signal path to another and causes what we call 'noise'.
So... a short answer is - yes, the ground next to the bottom layer for your example seems to be the best choice, and routing though the IC pins would probably be the best choice. There is no rule of thumb - each routing case has to be analyzed for the best solution.
There is an advanced discussion of signal return paths in a presentation at:
**broken link removed**