When crafting a calendar date picker, the key is ensuring easy transitions between months and years. Dedicate the main calendar interface to showcase all months from the current year. This approach allows users to swiftly select their desired month with a simple tap or click. For hopping between years, provide an intuitive, adjacent list of available years.

Stay clear of dropdowns for both months and years. They tend to be cumbersome, and on mobile devices, their tap targets can be quite tiny.

By maintaining a coherent navigation structure within the calendar design, you're setting the stage for a seamless and enjoyable user experience.